Wolff rips Horner amid Verstappen-Russell drama: 'Yapping little terrier'
Mercedes principal Toto Wolff had some choice words for Red Bull's Christian Horner amid the drama between Max Verstappen and George Russell.
"Yapping little terrier. Always something to say," Wolff said Thursday, per ESPN's Nate Saunders.
He added: "I think as a team principal, it's important to be a sparring partner for your drivers."
Russell and Verstappen recently traded barbs, with the Mercedes star claiming the four-time F1 champion threatened to intentionally injure him after the two visited stewards about an incident during qualifying at last weekend's Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen still won the race despite receiving a grid penalty that cost him pole position. Russell finished fourth.
"Yesterday's penalty was more based on hysterics from George, who has been quite hysterical this weekend," Horner said postrace.
The rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull has simmered since the historic battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in 2021. Red Bull has separated itself from Mercedes in the standings over the past few seasons.
"There is a thing between drivers, and this is George and Max, and I don't want to get involved in that, but if the other team principal calls George hysterical, this is where he crosses a line for me," Wolff said. "Now, his forte for sure is not intellectual psychoanalysis, but that's quite a word. How dare you comment on the state of mind of my driver."
The Formula 1 season concludes with Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.