F1 Today: Wolff reveals Horner message as Hamilton claims are dismissed
Photo: Race Pictures
Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
Toto Wolff has revealed what Christian Horner messaged him after Mercedes completed their title double, while a former Ferrari race engineer has dismissed claims suggesting there's any favouritism towards Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc. Here are the biggest stories in Formula 1 today, 15 November.
Wolff reveals Horner’s praise after Mercedes title success
Toto Wolff has revealed that former Red Bull rival Christian Horner congratulated him on Mercedes’ championship success, praising his decision to put his faith in Kimi Antonelli.
Speaking to BILD, the Mercedes boss said he received 577 messages following the team’s triumph. Among them was one from Horner, whose battles with Wolff became a defining feature of the rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull.
This was particularly the case during the 2021 season when Max Verstappen in the Red Bull narrowly beat Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes to the drivers' title in a dramatic finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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However, Wolff insisted the message had not come as a surprise. “Christian and I have a respectful relationship. That was the case back then too,” he explained.
Revealing what Horner had written, Wolff said: “Congratulations. Kimi was incredible this year, and respect to you for backing him at such a young age.”
Smedley dismisses claims Ferrari favours Hamilton over Leclerc
Photo: Race Pictures
Former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley has rejected suggestions that chairman John Elkann favours Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc.
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The relationship between the Ferrari’s drivers has faced much scrutiny since their clash at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with questions aimed at Ferrari's management over the handling of their two drivers.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Smedley firmly dismissed the idea of competing camps within Ferrari: “There aren't factions inside Ferrari. I can tell you that. I know them. John Elkann is not favouring Lewis.”
Smedley pointed to Ferrari’s management hierarchy, explaining that Elkann, team principal Fred Vasseur and the drivers all work towards the same goal. He rejected the suggestion that individual loyalties divide the organisation.
Having spent a decade at Ferrari, including working as Felipe Massa’s race engineer, Smedley delivered a blunt response to the speculation: “Let's not make stuff up.”
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