SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Wolff slams Gutierrez for backmarker driving

Toto Wolff is the latest F1 figure to hit out at the driving of Haas racer Esteban Gutierrez.

Lewis Hamilton infamously gave the Mexican 'the finger' earlier this year, and Daniel Ricciardo has also criticised Gutierrez after trying to lap him.

Now, Mercedes chief Wolff hit out at the way backmarker Gutierrez behaved when Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo were battling for the win in Singapore.

"Felipe (Massa) immediately got out of the way," Wolff told Auto Motor und Sport.

"But Esteban, who is a nice guy, just kept going and was happy that has gap to Felipe was increasing. I think Gutierrez always behaves like this when someone is trying to pass him.

"Every time, it's always the same driver," he added.

Haas team boss Gunther Steiner defended his driver.

"He was battling well against Massa who why should he get out of the way? He did so when he needed to and I think he was pretty fair," he said.

"I saw no problem with what he did, we received no penalty and the FIA did not complain. So I think if they (Mercedes) have a problem, they need to ask the stewards."

And Gutierrez was quoted by Speed Week: "If Toto Wolff has something to say, he should tell me to my face. I find that disappointing.

"Basically, people can say what they want, but there are rules. And if the stewards don't say anything, then I have done nothing wrong."

(GMM)