F1 News: Toto Wolff Reveals He Was Behind Ferrari's Vegas Penalty - "For The Benefit Of The Team"

Toto Wolff addresses speculation Mercedes was behind Ferrari's unsuccessful appeal over Carlos Sainz's Las Vegas GP Penalty.

Mercedes CEO and team principal Toto Wolff staunchly defended his decision to veto a penalty waiver for Ferrari in Las Vegas. This move may have played a crucial role in Mercedes' narrow victory over Ferrari in the constructors' championship.

Key Takeaways:

• Mercedes, under Toto Wolff's guidance, reportedly refused to allow Ferrari a penalty waiver after Carlos Sainz's mishap in Las Vegas. 
• Sainz's unfortunate encounter with a drain cover led to an engine penalty consisting of 10 grid places for the race down the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
• Wolff articulated his reasoning, highlighting the importance of adhering to regulations and the responsibility he holds towards the 2,500 team members at Mercedes.

In the heat of a tightly contested battle for second place in the constructors' championship, Toto Wolff, found himself in a position where a critical decision had to be made. After Ferrari's Carlos Sainz suffered a mishap, damaging his car by hitting a drain cover, he faced an engine penalty for the race on the Saturday night.

This incident opened a door for Mercedes to gain an edge in the championship race. Amidst rumours and accusations, Wolff confirmed that Mercedes was indeed the team that shot down a penalty waiver for Ferrari. This decision not only affected Ferrari's performance but also had a direct impact on the championship standings. 

Wolff, in an interview with RacingNews365, defended his decision. He explained:

"As a team principal for a rival team that is fighting for P2, I need to look at the regulations and at the full scope of possible actions of ourselves in order to finish P2 in the championship.

"If the regulation says so, I need to act for the benefit of the team and 2,500 people.

"If we lost the championship by five points because I have acted in sporting fairness, and the rules would have allowed me to actually penalise the car, I need to do this. Every other team principal will do it as much as it's unfair.

"I need to decide, is it unfair for a rival driver? It is. But I have 2,500 people that I'm literally responsible for - that pay mortgages and school fees. So, it's a no-brainer."