Saudi Arabian GP: Toto Wolff rubbishes Lewis Hamilton’s claims of drivers being forced to race in Saudi Arabia: The Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says there was no kind of manipulation of drivers during a long four-hour meeting. In the meeting, some drivers expressed their concerns about not going through with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It was believed that Lewis Hamilton had led the call for a boycott after a missile attack on a nearby oil depot. Follow Formula 1 updates on Insidesport.IN.
The race went ahead as planned on Sunday. Some intervention was there from the Saudi government officials. But, Wolff said there was no ‘arm twisting’ from any team principals and the drivers were fully on course for the racing. Wolff said, “There wasn’t any arm-twisting from our side.”
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Saudi Arabian GP: Mercedes chief Toto Wolff rubbishes Lewis Hamilton’s claims of drivers being forced to race in Saudi Arabia amid security concerns
“There were good discussions and when the team principals talked to the drivers. I think what we talked was sense and not at all with any pressure but maybe that was perceived in a different way.”
“In the end, the show and the spectacle was amazing. And what we delivered as a sport was great. I think this is what sport should do.”
This is how close the missile attack was to the circuit #F1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/IhJ1xXUGDt
— Motorsport Week (@MotorsportWeek) March 25, 2022
The first two free practice sessions in Jeddah went through. Meanwhile, there was smoke in the sky after an attack by the Yemen rebel group, the Houthis. Concerns were raised over the security of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which led to a lengthy meeting between the drivers and the officials.
Saudi Arabian GP: Mercedes chief Toto Wolff rubbishes Lewis Hamilton’s claims of drivers being forced to race in Saudi Arabia amid security concerns
Reports came out that Lewis Hamilton called for a boycott of the event. However, all the team principals attended the meeting between the drivers to assure them of their safety. Talks had been going on to stop racing in Saudi Arabia due to their poor human rights record.
Amnesty International had condemned Saudi Arabia for its poor treatment of workers, women, and the LGBT community. Two weeks ago, one of the biggest mass executions took place where 81 individuals were killed.
Saudi Arabian GP: Mercedes chief Toto Wolff rubbishes Lewis Hamilton’s claims of drivers being forced to race in Saudi Arabia amid security concerns
But, Toto Wolff insists that he has seen a change in the past five years. Toto added, “To be honest, I have been here since five years ago and I have seen change. But I repeat what I have said before, there is just so much more to do. I mean, a lot.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after overtaking Charles Leclerc in the latter part of the race. It was Red Bull’s first victory in the 2022 season. Whereas, Lewis Hamilton struggled throughout the week and finished in the tenth spot.
Lewis Hamilton took to his social media and said he ‘just wants to go home.’ Lewis added, “I am so happy the weekend is done. I am so happy that everyone is safe. I am just looking forward to getting out. I just want to go home.”
Hamilton had a weekend to forget as he got eliminated after the Q1 session. Then in the race, he finished tenth and only managed to score a point.
Saudi Arabian GP: Mercedes chief Toto Wolff rubbishes Lewis Hamilton’s claims of drivers being forced to race in Saudi Arabia amid security concerns
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