All eyes were on Red Bull, who were favorites to clinch the home GP. The Red Bull Racing Ring is reigned by Max Verstappen, the most successful driver on this track. However, things went completely opposite, and George Russell ended the Mercedes drought. The curse of silverware is finally over, thanks to a few collisions and penalties. The Brackley-based outfit has emerged victorious in their rival’s home.
While the young British driver was elated by the victory, he pointed out a strange moment that could have jeopardized his dream. Toto Wolff, the team principal, shared a motivational message on the team radio. However, it almost made George crash.
An Unexpected Dose Of Motivation For Russell Almost Made Him Crash
Max Verstappen started the Austrian GP on pole, while Lando Norris was just behind. Everyone knew Verstappen would secure the P1 spot, leaving the real battle for the remaining two podium positions. However, on lap 64, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris collided after plenty of close calls. The two were at P1 and P2 until the crash, but Norris had to retire early due to the damage. On the other hand, Verstappen got a 10-second penalty and a delayed start, pushing him back to P6. This is when Russell saw the opportunity to end the two-year drought. The Mercedes team finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel and emerged victorious.
However, the win wasn’t as straightforward as it looks; it has more drama. When Russell was sweating it out to maintain the top spot, Toto Wolff made a surprising appearance on his Radio show. The Austrian GP winner later explained the entire conversation and revealed what was going on in his mind. He said running on the hard tyres was difficult as Oscar Piastri was just behind. Suddenly, Wolff could not hold back his excitement and screamed on the team radio, “You can win this.” Russell said the pitch of his voice was so high that it nearly distracted him, almost causing a crash. However, the Briton understands Wolff’s excitement as it has been a tough couple of years for the team.
“The Dumbest Thing I Have Ever Done In 12 Years,” Wolff Accepts His Mistake
The embarrassing incident showcases Toto Wolff’s passion for the sport and his team. However, after the race, he admitted it was unnecessary and felt ashamed. During a media interaction, the Austrian executive labeled it the dumbest thing he had done in his 12 years with Mercedes.
Wolff proclaimed he knew the driver’s psychology well and was just trying to encourage Russell. However, he believes it wasn’t the right time, as braking zones or high corners are not the place for motivation.
