Toto Wolff admits to being mortified by radio call that almost caused George Russell to crash.

"You can win this, George," shouted the Austrian as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris tangled in their battle for the lead and Oscar Piastri closed in from behind.

While the Briton responded by asking his boss to let him drive, the race winner subsequently admitted his shock at the call... and the volume.

"Suddenly I had Toto screaming in my ear, 'you know, you can win this', and almost crashed when he screamed into my ears it was that loud," admitted the Briton.

"But I think it just goes to show the passion that we all share, and it's obviously been a tough couple of years for us. It feels great to be back on the top step."

"I think I know the drivers pretty well and what they need at times to encourage or to refocus, because I spend so much time with them," explained Wolff at race end.

"I think I know their psychology," he added. "But this one is the single dumbest thing I've done in twelve years at Mercedes. I will be forever ashamed because you look at where you message the driver and you don't do it during braking. Or in high-speed corners.

"But I didn't look on the GPS," he admitted, "I just saw these two taking each other out and we anticipated it, and then just emotionally pressed the button and said 'we can win this'.

"I could have taken him out with that message! Imagine how that could have felt.

"I'm emotional," he laughed. "I enjoy us doing well and I enjoy seeing Lewis and George doing well. I was just carried away with that situation, but seriously, embarrassing!"

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by NS Biker, 01/07/2024 19:01

"I have every confidence that Wolff will break new ground and exceed our expectations, yet again, in the near future.
Seem to recall that Kimi R. had a similar situation that he was able to mange on his own and then issue Tee Shirts to honor the occasion."

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2. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 01/07/2024 16:24

"I find it very hard to believe that this was really "the single dumbest thing” that Wolff has done in his twelve years at Mercedes. "

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3. Posted by Wokingchap, 01/07/2024 11:05

"Update......" What, no Limiters on the intercoms??"
Absolutely essential.
They need me as their Audio Consultant....haaaa"

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4. Posted by Wokingchap, 01/07/2024 8:21

"And so he should be. Should also be 100% sure the Limiter/Compressor for the drivers In Ear Monitors are adjusted so the volume CANNOT be too loud."

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Wolff "ashamed" and "embarrassed" at radio call

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