Toto Wolff Dispels Mercedes’ Sore Loser Tag With Collected Response to Orange Army & Marko

With intense passion and love for drivers and teams, heartbreak often turns into anger for F1 fans when they feel that after winning, their side doesn’t get due respect from the opposition, be it teams or fans. Thus, when Mercedes challenged Verstappen’s championship victory, fans quickly gave them the ‘sore losers’ tag. However, in a recent interview, Toto Wolff explains why he surprisingly approves of the reaction.

Responding to the Dutch fans’ reaction, Wolff said, “I think what makes this sport so special is the passion of our fans. I respect the opinion, the perspective and the perception of the Dutch fans.”

Opinions are bounds to be conflicting in a sport like Formula 1. Thus, Toto Wolff understood that it’s all a part of the game. “And as long as the passion for the sport and your own driver is in the foreground, that’s okay with me.”

However, Wolff expects fans to know where to draw the line. “The abuse that takes place on social media, against the team, against Lewis,  against me personally, against my wife is anything but [acceptable].”

Read more: The Light-Hearted Exchange Between Toto Wolff & Christian Horner After Abu Dhabi F1 Controversy

Further, the team boss proved he has been anything but a sore loser. “I respect the whole of Holland, the patriotism for the driver, I respect Max. And I’m happy that the whole of Holland is celebrating its first Formula 1 world champion because it deserves it and Max deserves it too.”

Mercedes boss responds to his rivals

Helmut Marko was the first to call his opponents sore losers. Yet, Wolff kept his cool in response. “These statements were certainly made out of emotions. I can also understand, if you have won the race and thereby the world championship, that of course a protest that delays this decision is frustrating. Without a doubt.”

Further, Wolff also clears the air surrounding his relationship with Christian Horner as well. Holding the Milton-Keynes team in high regard, Wolff said, “I don’t have a bad word to say about Christian [Horner], Helmut, Red Bull or Max. Those were worthy competitors this year. We fought with each other like never, on and off the track.”

It really was a season to remember as the two most powerful teams locked horns with each other. Now, with the rues of the past forgotten, we look forward to the new season- one that promises to be just as exciting, if not more, than the one we just witnessed.

Watch this story: F1 Drivers Fighting on Track