Did you think 2022 will not involve the Toto Wolff vs Christian Horner showdown? Well, just because Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are not exactly title contenders, does not make them ineligible for an altercation round with Red Bull. Even though Mercedes has not directly challenged the Austrian team on the grid, they’re still under attack.
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‘Porpoising’ has been one of the biggest highlights of this season. Teams have struggled and worked relentlessly to provide their drivers some comfort from this phenomenon. During the Azerbaijan GP, several drivers spoke out against the bouncing and wished for the FIA to provide some directives.
As a result of mid-season changes, Red Bull was not necessarily happy and presented discontent. Wolff backed his team and hit back, ‘Team principals trying to manipulate what is being said in order to keep the competitive advantage… is disingenuous,”
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“At any time this is a safety risk and then coming up with little … or Chinese whispers, or briefing the drivers is just pitiful.’
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In the wake of drivers reporting back pain, FIA announced short-term measures to help the teams. A defined limit for acceptable bouncing will be announced, and they have invited F1 teams to contribute.
Christian Horner attacks Mercedes F1 and Wolff
Hamilton was in apparent back pain during the race at the Baku street circuit. The Briton faced trouble getting out of the car. Mercedes, in fact, later explained how the 37-year-old’s back had actually gone numb. However, none of this impressed Horner, who presented his views on the situation.
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He claimed, “Ferrari… I think there was an element of theatre going on in that meeting. So maybe with Lewis’s new movie coming along he’s getting in role for it!”
These are some big claims from the Red Bull boss. Unsurprisingly, Wolff and Horner have a rich history of taking poisonous jibes at each other. However, with the Silver Arrows’ dull season, they are a bit behind this time.
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So, who do you support in the ‘porpoising’ war? Do you think team Mercedes is acting? Or is Horner simply not right?