Toto Wolff calls Mercedes favouritism claims 'brainless', tells critics to watch Teletubbies

Wolff slams 'nonsensical' favouritism narrative in Singapore

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has hit back at claims the team is favouring Kimi Antonelli over George Russell, calling the suggestion "brainless" and telling critics to watch children's television instead of Formula 1.

Speaking on Friday in Singapore, Wolff said the idea Mercedes are treating its drivers unequally is "completely nonsensical". Antonelli has defied pre-season expectations to build an 84-point lead over Russell at the top of the Drivers' Championship with seven races remaining, including this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

"They're brainless, whoever thinks that," Wolff said. "It's completely nonsensical. We've had it in the past with Lewis fans."

The Austrian referenced previous criticism the team faced from Lewis Hamilton fans before the seven-time world champion left to join Ferrari, and insisted Mercedes continues to provide equal machinery.

"I don't know what's going on. Do they think I have a button that says, 'George, engine failure now?'" Wolff added. "Or disadvantaging one driver against the other when we're fighting for the Constructors' Championship, when we've always had the mindset of providing everybody with equal material."

Reliability woes for Russell

Russell will start from the back of the grid in Singapore after an engine failure last weekend in Malaysia forced him into a grid penalty. The Briton also confirmed on Thursday he is likely to incur a further grid penalty before the end of the season given the position he has been left in by multiple technical failures.

Antonelli has also suffered reliability issues this season, with technical problems costing the 20-year-old significant points in Barcelona and at Silverstone.

Despite the problems, Mercedes are closing in on a first constructors' title since 2021, holding a 151-point lead over Ferrari at the top of the standings.

'Rather than watching Formula 1, they should do Teletubbies'

Wolff suggested the favouritism narrative is a product of social media.

"I guess this is maybe where social media goes today," he said. "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're abusing the team or myself. I'm Satan, I've heard. Overall, funny."

"Zero understanding and respect for people who come up with these things. Rather than watching Formula 1, they should do Teletubbies, or some Mickey Mouses."

Close bonds off track

Wolff offered a further response by revealing the close relationship he and his wife Susie Wolff share with Russell and the Briton's partner Carmen Montero Mundt.

"We have had Kimi since he was 11. He's integral part of the team. It's 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," Wolff said.

"On the other side, George, who's been with us since he was 17. Someone that I feel a lot of, how can I say, emotions for and compassion. We are very close. We spend 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 a 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. 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."

Formula 1 is in Singapore for the last Sprint weekend of the season with Sunday's Grand Prix at 1pm, build-up from 11.30am live on Sky Sports F1.