Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has pointed an accusatory finger at the FIA following a controversial call made by the sport's governing body against one of his drivers, declaring his rigid opinion in a standoff with Sky F1's Ted Kravitz.
The 19th round of the 2024 season saw many stars of the track handed penalties at COTA, whilst others seemingly got away with their driving style despite being involved in similar incidents.
The US GP ended dramatically with Lando Norris receiving a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage and overtaking off the track against Max Verstappen, in a similar fashion to how Wolff's own driver was also awarded a penalty.
His team-mate George Russell had already been handed a penalty from the FIA ahead of the race, forcing him to start from the pitlane.
As the grand prix then got underway, Russell was hit with a further setback after the FIA deemed his overtake on Valtteri Bottas worthy of a 5-second penalty.
George Russell had the last laugh at COTA, finishing sixth despite a pitlane startLewis Hamilton was unable to finish the US GP for the first time in his F1 career
Mercedes boss makes FIA accusation in awkward interview
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 pundit Ted Kravitz, Wolff revealed his thoughts on the FIA’s stewarding throughout the US GP: “It’s inconsistent I think with Valtteri it wasn’t even a race, yesterday we’ve seen a few of those incidents which were exactly the same that weren’t penalised, racing for positions actually, real positions, and receiving that penalty is just completely odd and bizarre,”
“I think we know why but I obviously can’t say that on television."
Kravitz pushed for clarity over the statement, asking: “We know why what? That sometimes we have over-judicious, over-exaggerated stewarding decisions when they should leave things be and let them be motor racing incidents?
Toto Wolff and Ted Kravitz engaged in an awkward interaction after the US GP
As the pair continued their heated back and forth, the exchange possessed a tense atmosphere with Kravitz continuing his line of questioning to cement Wolff’s accusation.
“Correlation between certain decisions that are made and sometimes the races where you look at the people who are making those decisions, just to be clear?” he asked.
“Yeah you said that now.” Wolff snapped.
“I know I said it but I’m trying to get to what you said.” retaliated Kravitz.
"I think we do have an issue with the stewarding, I think we did hear your radio message to George about at the end and that is available and people would’ve heard you say that so I guess this is a story and one of the things that will run.”
The radio in question came at the end of the US GP, after Russell queried if Verstappen had received a penalty for his move on Norris, and Wolff was heard labelling the FIA's decision making as 'biased'.
To finalise the interview, Wolff declared: "At the end of the day it’s a difficult job, some are very good, some are trying their best and we need to salute these guys.”
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