Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Wolff hoping for Saudi “repercussions” to avoid “messy” Abu Dhabi finale

Sam Hall Monday 6 December 2021 10:30

Wolff hoping for Saudi “repercussions” to avoid “messy” Abu Dhabi finale

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is hopeful "repercussions" from Max Verstappen's driving standards in Saudi Arabia will avoid a "messy situation" in F1's season finale.

Verstappen was ordered to hand back the lead to Lewis Hamilton in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and was also awarded a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage after a robust defence into turn one on lap 37, a move that led to the Mercedes driver labelling the Dutchman as "f**king crazy".

Several hours after the chequered flag fell, the Red Bull driver was handed a further 10-second penalty for "erratic" braking "in a manner which caused a collision" with Hamilton whilst attempting to hand back the lead on lap 38.

Despite the 15 seconds of cumulative penalties, Verstappen retained his second-place result, with the championship rivals leaving Jeddah level on points.

“I would hope that this race has enough repercussions that everybody is going to learn from it and adapt for the final race," said Wolff, declaring his hope for a clean decider in Abu Dhabi.

“I think that similar driving, if it were to be deemed by the stewards as being over the line, would also be penalised in Abu Dhabi.

"And that could end up in a messy situation for everybody and I don’t think the championship has deserved a result that was influenced by a collision.

“So I very much trust in the self-regulating system.”

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Wolff hoping for Saudi “repercussions” to avoid “messy” Abu Dhabi finale

Wolff hoping for Saudi “repercussions” to avoid “messy” Abu Dhabi finale