Toto Wolff has lashed out at 'brainless' conspiracy theorists who believe Mercedes are giving special treatment to Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian is on the verge of winning his maiden Drivers' Championship title in only his second season on the grid.
He went into the Singapore Grand Prix weekend with an 84-point lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell, his closest challenger who failed to finish in Malaysia last week because of a mechanical problem. Russell could slip even further behind Antonelli this weekend, given that he will start Sunday's race from the back of the grid after having a new engine fitted.
Wolff dismisses favouritism claims
It leaves Antonelli within touching distance of becoming the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. However, it has been suggested in some quarters that Mercedes are deliberately favouring the 20-year-old ahead of Russell.
Their decision-making over the course of this season, as well as the technical failures that have plagued Russell, has led to conspiracy theories about the level of help Antonelli is getting. Wolff was quick to shut down those suggestions ahead of Friday's sprint qualifying, with the Mercedes team principal saying exactly what he thinks.
'They're brainless'
He fumed: "They're brainless, whoever thinks that. It's completely nonsensical. We've had it in the past with Lewis fans. I literally know what's going on.
"Do they think I have a button that says: 'George engine failure now' or disadvantage one driver against the other when we're fighting for the Constructors' Championship, and when we've always had the mindset of providing everybody equal material?"
"But I guess this is maybe where social media goes today. People hide behind their screens and then they lash out. There's a lot of polarisation going on.
"Sometimes I read what people write. I find it hilarious. These people really contribute to my own entertainment when they are abusing the team or myself. I'm Satan I've heard, so yeah, overall, funny.
"Zero understanding and respect for people who come up with these things. Rather than watching Formula One, they should do Teletubbies, or I don’t know, some Mickey Mouses."
Wolff defends relationships with drivers
Quizzed on his own relationship with both drivers, Wolff replied: "We have had Kimi since he was 11. He's a integral part of the team. It is very nice to see him grow, be in a position now that he's fighting for a championship at such a young age, the talent he has.
"Then on the other side, George, who's been with us since he was 17, someone that I feel a lot of emotions for and compassion. We are very close.
"We're spending time with Carmen and Susie off the track with each other. If people would see that, we're traveling together, we're having coffee in the same coffee shop, we're going in the gym.
"That's why it's pretty annoying to have some lunatics that have no understanding really about how relationships work coming up with these kind of accusations. So I don't pay any attention to this.
"Most important is that George knows how the team is, and Kimi knows, and we will always try to give them equal opportunity."
