Mercedes team boss backs down: 'Didn't mean Max crashed on purpose'

Toto Wolff suggested after the Italian Grand Prix that Max Verstappen deliberately left his RB16B on track because he knew that in that case, a crash would follow. Christian Horner was disappointed with how Wolff reacted, who has now backed down.

Wolff called it a 'tactical foul' by Verstappen. In his media round, which included Motorsport-Total.com, the Mercedes team boss explained that he did not mean by that that Verstappen made a mistake deliberately. Wolff meant more that it was a moment in which Verstappen was aware that his action carried risks.

Halo very important

However, the Austrian still believes it was a tactical error. According to Wolff Lewis Hamilton showed in the first lap how you can prevent such an incident if you want to. The halo also comes up for discussion: "Halo definitely saved Lewis' life today."

Whether any blame will be apportioned for the incident remains to be seen. The stewards have spoken with Hamilton and Verstappen and will come back with their verdict this evening. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko consider it a racing incident in any case.