Toto Wolff brands Christian Horner a 'yapping little terrier' as Max Verstappen row explodes ahead of Abu Dhabi GP
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has taken a huge dig at Red Bull chief Christian Horner ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Wolff, 52, made the remarks about Horner, 51, when speaking to the media ahead of the weekend’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Austrian leapt to the defence of Mercedes driver George Russell, 26, who Horner accused of being “hysterical” throughout the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, having been embroiled in a row with Red Bull Driver and F1 champion Max Verstappen, who was penalised by the stewards during qualifying.
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"No, look, I think the penalty was more based on hysterics from George [Russell], who has been quite hysterical this weekend,” explained Horner.
"But, you know, that's unfortunately... I think there was a little bit of gamesmanship going on in that."
Now, Wolff has given his thoughts on Horner’s comments.
"Why does he [Christian Horner] feel entitled to comment about my driver?” asked the Mercedes chief when speaking to the press on Thursday.
“If you're thinking about it, yapping little terrier, always something to say.
"His forte is not intellectual psychoanalysis, but that's quite a word. How dare you comment on the state of mind of my driver."
After his victory at the race on December 1, Verstappen revealed how he had “lost all respect” for Russell, explaining how he’d “never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard”.
Verstappen was given a one-place grid penalty for impeding the Brit by driving unnecessarily slowly in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi race.
On the penalty situation, Russell said: “There is nothing to lie about."
He added: "He [Max Verstappen] was going too slow, he was on the racing line and in the high-speed corner.
“I wasn't trying to get him a penalty. I was just trying to prepare my lap, and you fight hard on track and in the stewards.”
As for Verstappen, he insisted he meant “everything” he said about Russell following their feud.
On Thursday, Russell claimed "people have been bullied by Max for years now", and added: "He's been enabled because nobody's stood up to him.”
The pair will take to the track in the UAE on Sunday, with the Constructors’ championship yet to be decided.
However, Red Bull and Mercedes cannot secure the prize, with McLaren and Ferrari set to battle it out.
Topics: George Russell, Max Verstappen, Mercedes
Luke Davies