Toto Wolff expresses regret for radio message to George Russell during the Austrian Grand Prix.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has admitted his decision to shout at team radio George Russell during the Austrian GP was unwise. He acknowledged that this radio message could have caused an accident involving Russell.

Wolff, who spent a lot of time with Formula 1 drivers, thought he understood their needs. However, he described his decision to shout on the radio as the stupidest thing he had done in 12 years at Mercedes. He recognized that this mistake was particularly reckless, despite his usual understanding of the psychology of his pilots.

Wolff also expressed his deep regret and said he would always feel ashamed about the incident. He explained the importance of choosing the right time to send messages to drivers during a race. Timing is crucial, as it should never be done while the rider is braking or negotiating turns at high speed. These moments require maximum concentration, and any distraction can lead to mistakes or accidents.

Wolff acknowledged that his communication could have inadvertently disrupted Russell’s race due to poor timing. He admitted he did not check the GPS or Russell’s location on the trail before sending the message. Instead, his decision was driven by emotion, particularly excitement about potentially winning the race, rather than a strategic assessment of Russell’s situation.

Wolff also expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity that presented itself to Russell at the time of the incident. As Mercedes boss, he takes great pleasure in seeing his drivers succeed in Formula 1. Fans were also delighted to witness Russell’s unexpected victory at the Red Bull Ring.