Wolff and Horner on a collision course: 'If he needs to, he should'

Toto Wolff lashed out yet again at the end of Friday in Abu Dhabi at Christian Horner's latest comments. The Red Bull Racing team boss blurted out that "someone from the Hamilton camp" was Lewis' father. Wolff doesn't believe any of that.

"I believe Anthony [Hamilton] isn't involved since 2010," Wolff told Sky's German branch about Hamilton Sr. not being directly involved in his son's contractual affairs for more than a decade. "You also wonder why such a story comes up in the last race."

The Mercedes team principal does have an idea who is causing all this turmoil. "I don't think it's Helmut, he's serious and at the end of the day he makes the decision about the drivers, but I think the other one [ed. Horner] wanted a bit of media attention by mentioning Lewis' name." Wolff is annoyed, but wants to put the issue to rest. "If that's what he needs, then let him do it."

Mercedes vs Ferrari

Mercedes concluded the second free practice a P6 (George Russell) and P8 (Hamilton) finish. Charles Leclerc drove the fastest time and as Mercedes battles with Ferrari for second place in the World Championship, Wolff's men would be wise to step up their pace on Saturday.

Sainz crashed in FP2 and may have to have a new gearbox fitted. That would come with a grid penalty, an advantage for Mercedes to maintain that four-point lead in the constructors' world championship.