In a head-turning feat, Max Verstappen, the Red Bull racing sensation, recently shattered Formula 1 records by clinching his 10th back-to-back win at the Italian Grand Prix.
Toto Wolff, the team principal for Mercedes, however, didn’t seem too dazzled by the Dutch driver’s accomplishment. He dismissed Verstappen’s landmark of 10 straight victories as “utterly unimportant.”
This historic achievement allowed Verstappen to outpace his predecessor at Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel, who managed nine consecutive wins in 2013. It’s also something Mercedes, during its years of reigning over F1 from 2014 to 2020, never pulled off.
But according to Wolff, such records don’t hold much water. “In the heyday of Mercedes’ supremacy, I never gave two hoots about these kinds of statistics,” Wolff remarked. “I couldn’t even tell you the exact number of races we strung together in a winning streak.”
Still, even the stoic Wolff couldn’t help but acknowledge the sheer brilliance of Verstappen’s performance. He conceded that the young driver’s record-breaking spree demonstrates “a formidable driver operating a top-notch vehicle at an incredibly high standard.”
Expanding on his thoughts about Verstappen, Wolff later noted, “I have to say, if there’s any record to hold, this one’s a gem because it’s a testament to utter precision.”
Wolff also forecasted a spotless season for Red Bull, assuming they don’t mess it up. “It’s theirs to lose this season,” he prophesized.
Meanwhile, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, was unabashedly impressed by Verstappen’s unblemished record over the past two years. “What’s staggering to me is Max’s consistency,” Vasseur claimed. “It’s one thing to lead when you have a competitive edge, but Max has shown he can manage any situation thrown at him. He’s made zero errors in two years of racing, which is simply monumental.”
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, also heaped praise on his star driver. “We have to celebrate and give due credit to what Max is achieving right now. It’s a golden era for him, and undoubtedly for the team,” said Horner.
Discussions have emerged within F1 circles about whether the FIA should intervene to level the playing field, as they did in 2021, affecting Mercedes more than other teams. This change led to a nail-biting showdown between Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. However, Wolff was categorical that Red Bull’s ascendancy was fair and square. “We’re in a meritocracy here,” he stated. “As long as they’re playing by the rulebook—technical, sporting, financial—then kudos to them. Entertainment is a byproduct of sport; it shouldn’t drive it. We’re not putting on a WWE spectacle here; authenticity is key.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Max Verstappen’s consecutive wins
What record did Max Verstappen recently break?
Max Verstappen recently clinched his 10th back-to-back win in Formula 1 at the Italian Grand Prix. This achievement allowed him to surpass his Red Bull predecessor, Sebastian Vettel, who had a run of nine straight victories in 2013.
What was Toto Wolff’s response to Max Verstappen’s record-breaking win?
Toto Wolff, the team principal for Mercedes, dismissed Max Verstappen’s record of 10 consecutive wins as “utterly unimportant.” However, he did acknowledge that Verstappen is a “formidable driver operating a top-notch vehicle at an incredibly high standard.”
Did Toto Wolff show any respect for Verstappen’s achievement?
Yes, despite dismissing the record as “utterly unimportant,” Wolff did acknowledge that Verstappen’s streak showcases “a formidable driver operating a top-notch vehicle at an incredibly high standard.” He even later referred to the record as “a gem.”
How did other team principals react to Verstappen’s streak?
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, expressed admiration for Verstappen’s consistent performance, emphasizing that he has made zero errors in two years of racing. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, also praised Verstappen, describing this period as a “golden era” for the driver and the team.
Is the FIA considering rule changes to halt Red Bull’s domination?
The text suggests that there have been discussions within F1 circles about whether the FIA should intervene to level the playing field, similar to a rule change in 2021 that affected Mercedes. However, Toto Wolff argues that the sport is a meritocracy, and as long as Red Bull complies with the regulations, they deserve their success.
What did Toto Wolff say about F1 becoming more like WWE?
Toto Wolff made it clear that F1 should focus on being a sport rather than scripted entertainment like WWE. He emphasized that entertainment is a byproduct of sport and should not be the driving factor. He believes in keeping the authenticity of the sport intact.
More about Max Verstappen’s consecutive wins
- Max Verstappen’s 10th Consecutive Win at the Italian Grand Prix
- Toto Wolff’s Remarks on Verstappen’s Record
- F1 Rule Changes and Their Impact on Teams
- Christian Horner Praises Max Verstappen
- Frederic Vasseur’s Take on Verstappen’s Performance
- FIA Regulations in Formula 1
- The History of Consecutive Wins in F1
- WWE vs. Authentic Sports: An Opinion Piece by Toto Wolff
- The 2021 F1 Season: A Recap
- Lewis Hamilton and His Rivalry with Max Verstappen
9 comments
Frederic Vasseur’s comment hits home. Zero mistakes in two years is just insane. That’s what separates the good from the great.
Horner’s right. this is a golden moment for Max and the Red Bull team. How many times does something like this even happen in sports?
I dont get why Toto is downplaying the record. I mean, it’s one thing to be a gracious loser, but outright dismissing it? Come on!
Man, 10 wins in a row! Max is a legend in the making. This kid is going places, Wolff can say what he wants but numbers don’t lie.
Interesting that Toto doesn’t see the ‘sporting merit’ in consecutive wins. Didn’t hear him say that when Mercedes was dominating.
Why is Toto even comparing F1 to WWE? they’re like apples and oranges man.
About FIA rule changes, it would be pretty unfair if they started tweaking stuff just to stop Max and Red Bull. let them have their moment.
Toto’s reaction kinda spicy, eh? I live for this drama, keep it comin.
lol, Toto’s just salty coz his team ain’t on top anymore. But, gotta admit, Max is in a league of his own rn.