Mercedes team principal’s controversial remarks destabilize Bahrain press conference
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stunned reporters at yesterday’s press conference in Bahrain with a deeply inappropriate reference to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports BritPanorama.
The Austrian’s outburst came as he vehemently rejected allegations from rival Formula 1 teams questioning whether his squad’s power units comply with regulations. Wolff branded the claims “utter bull****” while defending the legality of the new Mercedes engines ahead of the 2026 campaign.
He stated, “Another nonsense. This is a complicated topic and the process, and all of this, but there’s just not… I can’t even comment.” Wolff further elaborated, indicating ongoing disputes about engine specifications, which he dismissed as unfounded.
Wolff specifically mentioned claims regarding illegal compression ratios, asserting, “Utter bull****, and now the next story comes up that our fuel is illegal? I don’t know where that comes from.” His frustration escalated when he added, “I’ve been on the Epstein files, God knows what.” This comment prompted visible discomfort among reporters present.
As the press conference proceeded, Wolff acknowledged the inappropriateness of his remarks, stating, “You’re not happy with me saying that, no? Yeah, I mustn’t say that.”
Pre-season testing wraps up today at the Bahrain circuit, where tensions between manufacturers have escalated over controversial power unit developments. Engine manufacturers are set to vote in the coming days regarding the legality of Mercedes’ innovative power units beyond August 1 this year.
Complications have arisen, particularly with reports suggesting that the fuel developed by title sponsor Petronas has not yet received FIA approval. Additionally, Wolff appeared unconcerned about the potential vote outcome, commenting, “For me, either way, it works.”
The power unit controversy extends to teams supplied by Mercedes, including McLaren, Williams, and Alpine. Wolff expressed that the situation feels like a “storm in a teacup,” emphasizing that the ongoing disputes wouldn’t significantly impact their performance or plans.
As the F1 community awaits the outcome of the impending votes and regulatory decisions, Wolff’s bewildering comments reinforce the unpredictable nature of sports politics—a vivid reminder that in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, the line between racing and controversy often blurs. While technical prowess accounts for much, it is the words spoken in key moments that can spark headlines, even if those words veer into the realm of the absurd.
