Wolff, Marko 'not on speaking terms'
Bad feeling has affected the relationship between Red Bull and Mercedes' respective Austrian chiefs, Dr Helmut Marko and Toto Wolff.
Jun.27 (GMM) Mercedes, the dominant team of 2014, and defending quadruple world champions Red Bull, are the perfect F1 enemies.
After winning on Red Bull's home soil last weekend, Mercedes released an advertising hoarding with the slogan: "Silver Arrow gives you wings".
And, also after Sunday's win at the Dietrich Mateschitz-owned and promoted Red Bull Ring, silver-clad personnel climbed the enormous iron bull statue in the centre of the circuit and decorated it with a huge three-pointed star necklace.
All in good fun. But less jovial have been scraps over cancelled hotel bookings, or when Mercedes lawyers urged the FIA to ban Red Bull for three races over the fuel flow saga this year.
It is obvious that the bad feeling has affected the relationship between Red Bull and Mercedes' respective Austrian chiefs, Dr Helmut Marko and Toto Wolff.
Mercedes' Wolff confirmed to the Austrian weekly NEWS that the pair are not on speaking terms.
"No, we do not (speak)," he said. "He's just not a point of contact for me in his role and therefore there is no reason for us to talk to each other."
He stopped short of saying the pair 'hate' one another.
"'Hate' would be too emotive," Wolff insisted. "We are competitors on the track, that's our job and it's important that we obtain the greatest possible success.
"I respect the Red Bull team," he said. "Nevertheless, life is too short to drink bad wine."
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Toto Wolff reveals parenting challenge as son Jack leads karting championship
Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff holiday photos fuel fresh Mercedes speculation
David Coulthard praises Toto Wolff's leadership amid Mercedes pressure
Why the F1 Dutch GP weekend has been a "wake-up call" for Kimi Antonelli
Why Lando Norris was “surprised” to claim Dutch GP pole position
Toto Wolff jokes about Max Verstappen's Red Bull deal: Mercedes has him for the most important races
Lando Norris: I hope Mercedes gets a double disqualification in Las Vegas and forgets to pit in Qatar
Why McLaren thinks Ferrari is quickest in Zandvoort, but may well be stuck
“It’s just nuts” – Lewis Hamilton baffled by Ferrari’s tyre-warming struggle
Why the F1 Dutch GP weekend has been a "wake-up call" for Kimi Antonelli
Why Lando Norris was “surprised” to claim Dutch GP pole position
What we learned from the 2026 F1 Dutch GP sprint race and qualifying
Why Williams problems are worse than previously known
The hidden benefit of Max Verstappen’s new F1 deal that Red Bull wants to exploit
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments