Wolff explains his actions towards Red Bull: 'That is no longer the case'

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton drove off the track together on lap 48 of the Brazilian Grand Prix when the Briton tried to overtake Verstappen on the outside. Although the race committee stated that there was little wrongdoing, Mercedes decided to make another request to the stewards prior to the Qatar race weekend. According to Toto Wolff it was not to upset Red Bull.

The team boss felt it was especially important to create clarity for the remainder of the season, he stated in conversation with Formel1.de. "It was about the basic principle and the philosophy. Because if he stops like that, it means that overtaking manoeuvres on the outside lane become almost impossible because the driver on the inside has complete control of the corner," Wolff told.

The Austrian still finds it difficult to understand how the race control came to their decision. "In the past you had to leave a car wide for a car next to you, but that is no longer the case. We have made a decision and will now adapt to it in the final races if necessary. Some drivers have already given their opinion."

Victory for Hamilton

Hamilton did eventually manage to drive into the lead in Brazil a few laps later. It was then an easy job for him to grab the victory.