Totowolf clashed with Red Bull after launching a protest against George Russell after his victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, labeling it as “little” and “embarrassing.”
Russell struck him and Mercedes’ first victory in the 2025 Formula 1 season at Circuit Gills Villeneuve on Sunday.
Russell finished ahead of Max Burstappen as the race finished behind the safety car following the race ending incident at Randorris.
Under the safety car, Russell and Verstappen complained about each other’s team radio.
After the Mercedes driver hit the brakes, Verstappen temporarily overtakes Russell under the safety car.
Two hours after the race, Red Bull launched a protest related to Russell driving under a safety car.
The FIA has rejected Red Bull’s protest against Russell. In other words, he continued to win.
At the new Formula One movie premiere in New York, Wolf criticized Red Bull’s post-race behaviour in Montreal.
“First of all, we needed a team, Red Bull Racing, two hours before they started the protest,” he said.
“It was what they were doing. Honestly, it was very small, very small. They did it in Miami. Now they set up two protests and they got one back because it was ridiculous.
“I think the FIA needs to see it because it’s so fetched. It’s been rejected. You race, you win, you get on track and lose. It was a fair victory for us, like many people who have had in the past. It’s just embarrassing.”
Wolf revealed that Red Bull had withdrawn one of the protests against Russell.
The Mercedes boss also questioned who was responsible for the protest and dismissed the idea that Verstappen would have pushed it forward.
“They actually pulled in as a protest and they didn’t follow that because it was nonsense,” Wolff explained.
“The second one took us there five hours because we don’t even know what they call sportsman-like behavior. What is that about? Why do you decide that? I’m sure it’s not the biggest.
Wolff deals with Russell contract extension
Surprisingly, Russell’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of this year.
The former Williams driver has been the driver of the season so far, perhaps due to his incredibly consistent performance.
When asked about negotiations with Russell, Wolf confirmed, “It’s all in planning.”
Wolff was also asked about the outlook that Verstappen could win a ban on one race this year.
He thinks it’s not good for Formula 1 if the world champion misses the race.
“Absolutely. He’s the main character,” replied Wolf. “He has rough edges, but he also has fair racers. Yesterday I found out that this isn’t a problem. That’s not good.”
