Criticism swirled around F1 paddock after Monaco GP finish
May 30 - With the future of the event currently in doubt, Toto Wolff has aimed fire at Monaco's historic Formula 1 street circuit layout.
The Mercedes boss hit out at the fact that Fernando Alonso was able to deliberately drive 5 seconds too slow - at 'Formula 2 pace' - in order to keep Lewis Hamilton behind.
"It is a lesson to be learned so that guys can't drive five seconds off the pace in a motorcade," Wolff said.
"It's a fantastic venue, but it would be great if all races could be of the same standard."
Alpine driver Alonso admitted that keeping Hamilton's Mercedes behind despite driving so slowly was not at all difficult.
"We knew graining would be a problem so I saved the tyres. This is Monaco and I love keeping other drivers behind," the Spaniard smiled to AS newspaper.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, meanwhile, saved his criticism for Formula 1's new race management who delayed the start of Sunday's race amid heavy rain.
Wolff thinks the delay was because of a power failure, while Magnussen told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: "They must have had their reasons.
"But we're professional drivers. It's Formula 1, not WEC."
When asked about F1's new race directors, after Michael Masi was ousted over the 2021 Abu Dhabi saga, Magnussen said: "They are new so there is a lot of pressure on them.
"I don't want to be in their shoes and have to make those decisions, but I would put money on it that all 20 drivers would have started the race. We are professionals and we've all done it before.
"Yes, these are the most tricky conditions you can drive in, but I enjoyed it. Monaco in wet weather - it does not get more exciting," the Dane added.
Finally, quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel had nothing nice to say about official F1 supplier Pirelli's full-wet rain tyre.
"They are way too hard for this track but it was the same in Imola too. It's just a bad tyre," said the German.
He thinks it's the Pirelli tyres that caused Sunday's wet weather delay.
"I can remember days when we could have driven here, but with these tyres it's impossible," Vettel said.
"They look nice, but actually they're useless. As soon as you can go onto the intermediate, you do it straight away."
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Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, meanwhile, saved his criticism for Formula 1's new race management who delayed the start of Sunday's race amid heavy rain.
Wolff thinks the delay was because of a power failure, while Magnussen told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: "They must have had their reasons.
"But we're professional drivers. It's Formula 1, not WEC."
Not cool K-Mag, im pretty sure Alonso Monaco's new Tourist Information bus driver, considers himself a Professional
Good for Alonso, he sure made LH FUME! Between Toto and LH, who is the biggest whiner? If Hamilton had the fastest car, so he said, find a way to pass. Isn’t that what racing is all about
Tough call that Susan, but on balance, at the moment I think Toto, Hamsters just given up , he doesn't even say the usual blah, blah when being interviewed, ie great crowd, great venue, i'm so blessed bull anymore
.....and stares off into the distance, maybe composing rap lyrics in his mind.
Wtf Alonso?
Burning some more bridges?
Think Alonso is way passed burning bridges, he pretty much sealed that deal after Ferrari. He is in a sweet spot. He has a car to drive, money to spend and zero hope of winning.
The only drivers belly aching over the Monaco race results are the ones that didn't get it right I say good on ocon & Alonso for racing against sir Lulu, Hamilton hit ocon once again he got the other driver "ocon" penalised, Lulu was the one attacking whilst frustrated because he couldn't get passed, once again I say, what gives him the right to expect everyone else to move over because its a mercedes tough shit stop moa ning and get it right for azaberjan. I thought monaco was brilliant and perez deserved the win.
Yes, the Ocon penalty was questionable. Lewie is just now learning that he is no longer the intimidator. Re Alonzo's excellent defense, I direct your attention to RIC's great drive a few years ago when he was praised for holding up the crowd while down 20 hp. Squeakers gonna' squeak.
Yes I remember, I also remember a young Hamilton throwing his mclaren around like a go cart and wearing his tyres down to the canvas to get a win, what happened?
What happened is we all got 'woke'. Be nice and move over. Good example is the blue flag. Used to be they'd wait at least one full lap before using it. Now they start waving it before the cars leave the previous corner.
LH’s ego is way out of whack. So used to ruling his kingdom (track), can’t deal with upstarts who may think they have a shot at winning.
How FIA generally handled things over the last weekend was questionable.
The red for Tsunoda’s barrier contact was unnecessary, as was the start delay for rain & the red delay for Mick’s crash, etc.
Additionally, neither Williams driver got penalized despite (deliberately) passing three consecutive light panels showing blue & not letting by at the earliest opportunity as per the ruling nor did Ocon for pushing Hamilton towards Armco going into Sainte Devote (unseen on the world feed, typical TMC).
Sky sports made that perfectly clear over and over again. Masi might be looking better and better as time goes on. Race directors jobs may be in peril, if Brundle and Crofty have their way.
Seems Like both Renaults had it in then for Ma Lord, My sweet Lord
Peter Bayer has just been sacked and replaced by Totos ex special adviser, they haven't got the car to win races so their replacing the FIA with their own ex team advisor "I don't believe it" says Victor mildew.
special advisor my arse said Jim , hes a lawyer
Just what we need, a friggin' lawyer making racing decisions.
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