Why Did Mercedes Boss Wolff Call Red Bull's Protest 'Petty'?

New Delhi, June 17 (NationPress) The 2025 Formula 1 season has once again ignited tensions in the fierce rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull. Red Bull's protest regarding George Russell's victory at the Canadian Grand Prix was ultimately dismissed by the stewards. However, the repercussions have extended far beyond the race track, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff labeling the protest as 'petty' and 'embarrassing', while Red Bull's Christian Horner maintains that his team has 'no regrets.'

Following the race, Red Bull submitted a protest alleging that Russell exhibited erratic driving and unsportsmanlike conduct behind the Safety Car while leading Max Verstappen. This protest came on the heels of another unsuccessful protest in Miami earlier in the season, where Red Bull accused Russell of not slowing down under yellow flags.

Wolff did not shy away from expressing his discontent, stating to Sky Sports during the launch of the new F1 film in New York: 'Firstly, it took team Red Bull Racing two hours to file their protest, which speaks volumes. Honestly, it's so petty and so small.'

He added, 'They've already protested in Miami. Now they've filed two protests and retracted one because it was absurd. Their arguments are bizarre, and the FIA should review them because they were so far-fetched that they were rejected.'

Wolff stressed that competitions should be decided on the track, not in the stewards' rooms: 'You should race, win, and lose on the circuit. Our victory was legitimate, just like many they have enjoyed in the past. It's simply embarrassing.'

He further noted that the protest caused unnecessary delays and confusion: 'The second protest took us five hours to resolve because I don’t even understand what they mean by 'unsportsmanlike behavior.' Who determines that? I'm certain it’s not Max, as he’s a racer and wouldn’t lodge a protest over such trivial matters.'

In defense of their actions, Red Bull's Horner asserted: 'Absolutely no regrets. It's a team’s right to challenge what they perceive as unfair. We noticed something that didn’t seem right, and we opted to bring it before the stewards.'

Horner also accused Mercedes of playing mind games, referencing comments made by Russell regarding Verstappen's precarious penalty situation ahead of the race.

Russell, who secured Mercedes' first victory of the season alongside teammate Kimi Antonello and Verstappen on the podium, seemed perplexed by the protest: 'I think even Max was unaware that there was a protest. I don't know what they were thinking. It felt like a waste of everyone’s time.'