Singapore Grand Prix: Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff's anger at bias claims - BBC Sport
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Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff on bias claims
BBC Sport by Andrew Benson (F1 Correspondent in Singapore)
Published 57 minutes ago
Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff says critics who accuse the team of bias against George Russell are "brainless".
The British driver's championship hopes were dealt a significant blow by an engine failure while he was running third at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia last Sunday.
Russell enters this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix 86 points behind team-mate Kimi Antonelli, and will start from the back because of a grid penalty for using too many engine parts.
Wolff dismissed accusations of favouritism towards Antonelli as "completely nonsensical."
He added:
"We've had it in the past with Lewis (Hamilton) fans. I mean, literally, I don't know what's going on. Do they think I have a button that says, 'George engine failure now', or disadvantaging one driver against the other when we are fighting for a Constructors' Championship?"
"But I guess this is maybe where social media goes today. People hide behind their screens and then they lash out."
Wolff emphasised his commitment to equality between drivers, which he has maintained since taking over as Mercedes boss in 2013.
He described both Russell and Antonelli as long-time proteges of the team and personally.
"We have had Kimi since he was 11. It is very nice to see him grow, be in a position now that he is fighting for a championship at such a young age, the talent he has."
"And then on the other side, George, who has been with us since he was 17... we are very close."
He confirmed socialising with Russell and his fiancee Carmen Montero Mundt, saying they spend time together both on and off track.
Regarding this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, Wolff highlighted the team's decision to split car specifications as a "good example" of equal treatment.
Russell is using the previous spec car while Antonelli has access to the newer one.