Wolff clarifies call to Verstappen Sr

Mercedes team head Toto Wolff insists there was nothing wrong with his phone call to Jos Verstappen prior to the Brazilian GP, during which Max Verstappen’s driving was discussed.

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner revealed before last weekend’s race that Wolff telephoned Verstappen Sr for a chat about his son, including his driving style on track. The call follows a clash between Verstappen Jr and title-chaser Nico Rosberg in Mexico.

When pressed about the call, Wolff said: “The conversation was just two racing enthusiasts that had a private discussion and it’s been dragged out in the public.

“I said Max is a great driver, has incredible skill and he’s refreshing as a character. Outside of the Red Bull team I’m a really big fan.

“The last thing I want is for him to change his style. I didn’t say move out of our way or race differently. I don’t think Lewis [Hamilton] or Nico care. They don’t expect him to race any differently.

“I discussed two things: first there has been a negative spin in some media about his driving, which I said was unjustified. Number two was that it’s two races to the end and if an accident would happen with Lewis or Nico, it would be something to add more negatives in the media, and this can be avoided.”

When asked after the race what he made of Verstappen’s star performance, Wolff said: “It was the Verstappen show! It was really unbelievable driving. Physics are being redefined.”