Toto Wolff urges Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to keep away from a 'messy scenario' as title race goes to the wire in Abu Dhabi... and he warns Mercedes to 'maintain each ft on the bottom' regardless of three straight race wins
- Mercedes principal Toto Wolff needs to see a clear title combat out in Abu Dhabi
- Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are degree on factors earlier than the ultimate race
- Wolff needs to keep away from a 'messy scenario' just like the one witnessed in Saudi Arabia
- Hamilton and Verstappen collided when the Pink Bull braked laborious on Lap 37
Toto Wolff has referred to as on Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to play honest of their 'all or nothing' title combat in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The Mercedes staff principal has witnessed first hand how powerful a battle it has been on observe between the 2 drivers all season.
Having controversially clashed on Lap 37 on the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, finally gained by Hamilton, Wolff needs to see a clear combat within the finale in Abu Dhabi this Sunday.
'I might hope that [Saudi Arabia] has sufficient repercussions that everyone's going to study from it and adapt for the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi,' Wolff informed F1.com.
'I believe that related driving, if it have been deemed by the stewards to be over the road, can be additionally penalised by the stewards in Abu Dhabi and that would nicely finish in a messy scenario for everyone.
'And I do not assume the championship has deserved a end result that is influenced by a collision so I very a lot in that case belief the self-regulating system... the faster automobile with the faster driver ought to win the championship and never by taking one another off.'
Verstappen needed to retire and was taken to hospital for checks after being despatched into the limitations at Silverstone following a tangle with Hamilton.
At Monza in September, Hamilton was lucky to flee with out critical injury when a collision brought on Verstappen's Pink Bull to go excessive of his head, stored at bay by the halo gadget.
Mercedes have wrestled again management within the race for the world championship and have the momentum heading to Yas Marina.
Hamilton has gained the final three races however Wolff, who has overseen Mercedes' stranglehold on the game lately, is cautious of permitting complacency to set in in his storage.
'It's all or nothing in Abu Dhabi,' he added.
'Whoever wins the race wins the championship and due to this fact you will need to maintain each ft on the bottom, maintain working, and hopefully carry the efficiency that we had [in Saudi Arabia] on to Abu Dhabi.'
Race director Michael Masi informed Sportsmail that any main collision between the sparring title rivals might lead to penalties that alter the championship.
'I am unable to management the actions of the 2 people, solely they will,' Masi stated.
'However throughout the laws we now have penalties, be it time or grid penalties. As well as, the Worldwide Sporting Code has provision for the stewards to disqualify a competitor or dock championship factors.
'So, sure, Max might be deducted factors, as might any staff. We hope it is not vital, however it is without doubt one of the instruments accessible.
'I'll remind all of the groups and drivers of those provisions.'
