Source – F1 oversteer
After the race, Toto Wolff responded to a question on whether or not VCARB had made a “dirty play” by allowing Daniel Ricciardo to set the fastest lap in Singapore.
In a dramatic twist during the Singapore Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo captured the fastest lap of the race, effectively snatching a crucial bonus point from his former McLaren teammate, Lando Norris. This late-race maneuver not only showcased Ricciardo’s driving prowess but also indirectly benefitted Max Verstappen, who thanked Ricciardo over the team radio for helping him maintain his lead in the Drivers’ Championship. However, this strategic play quickly ignited discussions about potential collusion between Red Bull and their sister team, VCARB, raising eyebrows and prompting Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to step in and clarify the situation.
Despite the speculation swirling around the paddock, both Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, and Wolff firmly dismissed any notions of “dirty play.” Horner emphasized that Ricciardo’s performance was entirely his own doing and not influenced by orders from the Red Bull pit wall. “Daniel obviously wanted to finish the race on a high,” he stated, reinforcing that the Australian driver likely had a fastest lap bonus written into his contract. This assertion aimed to quell any suggestions that Ricciardo’s late surge was orchestrated to disadvantage McLaren, which has been in a fierce battle with Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.
Wolff, while acknowledging the competitive landscape of the World Championship, took a measured approach to Ricciardo’s achievement. He remarked that in such a tight championship race, all strategies must be on the table. “I think you’ve got to probably play all strategies that you have,” Wolff noted when discussing the implications of Ricciardo’s fastest lap. He firmly maintained that Ricciardo’s actions were within the rules and showcased fair racing between the drivers. “I don’t think it was a dirty play. Not at all. It could come down to a point; it was within the regulations. The drivers weren’t unfair with each other; [Ricciardo] just scored an extra point. No big deal.”
The aftermath of Ricciardo’s fastest lap raised questions not just about the individual race, but about the broader implications for team dynamics and sportsmanship in Formula 1. McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, acknowledged the need for further dialogue regarding the autonomy of teams, particularly in light of Ricciardo’s performance. While Stella refrained from directly accusing VCARB of collusion, he underscored the importance of maintaining independence among teams in the championship. “I don’t know the facts. I just saw that Racing Bulls [VCARB] went for the fastest lap, and they achieved it,” he remarked. “But for me, here talk about sportsmanship and so on, I think is… it would be out of place.”
Stella’s comments highlighted the necessity for discussions on how teams operate and make decisions during races. He stressed that the championship should remain a competition between individual teams rather than a collaborative effort. “This is a Constructors’ Championship; it’s a Drivers’ Championship. It is not a coalition championship,” he asserted, hinting at the potential need for structural changes to ensure teams operate independently in the future.
The Singapore Grand Prix, with its stunning cityscape and challenging street circuit, served as a backdrop for this latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren. As the championship battle heats up, the actions and strategies employed by the teams will undoubtedly come under scrutiny, especially in light of the evolving narrative surrounding teamwork versus competition in Formula 1. Wolff’s defense of Ricciardo’s fastest lap as a legitimate move reflects the complexities of racing, where every point counts and strategies must be navigated with precision and integrity.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will remain on the dynamic between Red Bull and VCARB, alongside the evolving competition within the paddock. With tensions high and stakes even higher, the actions of drivers like Ricciardo, coupled with the reactions of team principals, will continue to shape the narrative of this thrilling season in Formula 1.
