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Silverstone safety car decision was the right call, says Mercedes boss Wolff
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Silverstone safety car decision was the right call, says Mercedes boss Wolff

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stated Formula One correctly followed regulations by ending the British Grand Prix under safety car conditions.
  • The decision mirrored the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi finale, where altered procedures allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton for the title.
  • Wolff expressed a preference for the '21 outcome but acknowledged the sport must adhere to rules, even if it means a less exciting finish.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said Formula One made the correct decision to finish the British Grand Prix under a safety car, despite the crowd's disappointment. The call echoed the contentious 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where a different application of safety car rules led to Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton for the world championship.

I would have preferred for this to happen in '21. That was more important.

— Toto WolffMercedes boss Toto Wolff on the safety car decision at the British Grand Prix.

Wolff, speaking to reporters, stated that while he would have preferred a different outcome in 2021, the governing body's adherence to regulations in the recent race was positive. "The show follows sport and not the other way around," Wolff said. "So it's good that the FIA made that call."

Fans booed after race direction initially announced the safety car would come in with one lap remaining, only for it to stay out due to what the FIA attributed to a software error. This meant the race concluded without a final lap battle between Hamilton, who had pitted for fresh tires, and leader Charles Leclerc. George Russell, Hamilton's teammate, finished second, acknowledging his fortunate position.

But it's good that the regulations have been followed. Sometimes it doesn't give for the most exciting finale.

— Toto WolffMercedes boss Toto Wolff on the safety car decision at the British Grand Prix.

"Obviously, there was a lot of chat post-Abu Dhabi ’21. If you actually look at the number of races that have finished under the safety car over the past 20 years, it's not actually a lot," Russell commented. "It is a shame but what can you do? I don't think it should be different."

The show follows sport and not the other way around. So it's good that the FIA made that call.

— Toto WolffMercedes boss Toto Wolff on the safety car decision at the British Grand Prix.

Hamilton, when asked about the team's decision to pit, responded pragmatically: "What difference does it make? The team asked me to stop. I assumed in stopping that we would be holding position. If they told me, 'You're stopping and you're losing position' I wouldn't have done it."

I mean, of course it's a shame for any race to finish into the safety car. But then you go back to Abu Dhabi ’21, and that is just how racing goes.

— George RussellMercedes driver George Russell on the safety car finish at the British Grand Prix.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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