Wolff on respect for Red Bull: 'I can get spirited'

The battle for the title between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes has been fierce all season. Not only on track between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton but also off track between the team owners. Toto Wolff reacts on the rivalry.

Wolff and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner have been making fiery off-track statements about their rivals all year. On several occasions they have lashed out at each other. During the press conference, the Mercedes boss said that the respect is still there.

"I have never lost respect for our opponent, but Christian and I naturally see a lot from different perspectives, and when it comes to our drivers, I can get spirited. When so much is at stake, no one should expect a mutual cuddling course," he is quoted by Speedweek.com.

Difference with previous fights

The team owners are not unfamiliar with a fierce title fight, although they both know what it is like to dominate in the sport. Wolff only knows a title fight from start to finish internally between Hamilton and his old driver Nico Rosberg.

"There were also years with Ferrari, they were brutal. The difference to today: With Red Bull Racing, this went on throughout the year, from the first to the last race," Wolff said. On Sunday in Abu Dhabi, we'll find out who the 2021 champion is.