P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was reminded of some previous incidents involving Max Verstappen after his Mexico penalties.
Toto Wolff believes he experienced a sense of “deja vu” during the Max Verstappen-Lando Norris incidents in Mexico in 2021 due to similarities with Verstappen’s controversial driving in the past year’s title fight with Lewis Hamilton. He observed that Verstappen’s aggressive on-track behavior received penalties in Mexico, unlike in Brazil, where a similar move against Hamilton went unpunished. Wolff felt this legitimized Verstappen’s actions, leading to a feeling of deja vu from late 2021. Despite the lesser animosity between Norris and Verstappen compared to Hamilton, he supported the stewards’ decisions and saw them as setting a precedent against overly aggressive driving styles. Wolff also noted that such incidents contribute to the overall spectacle of Formula 1, benefiting the sport’s entertainment value and business aspects. In his view, Mexico Grand Prix had various elements that appealed to different fans, but emphasized that Mercedes’ primary focus remains on winning races.
