Wolff: Red Bull's Horner just 'a protagonist in a pantomime’

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has branded his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner "a protagonist in a pantomime" in the latest episode of the ongoing acrimonious debate between the two F1 chiefs.

Mercedes and Red Bull's rivalry on the track, portrayed by the cut-throat title battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, is often prolonged in the paddock by the teams' top brass as supremacy switches back and forth between F1's front-runners.

Ahead of the recent US Grand Prix in Austin, Horner subtly took aim at his Mercedes nemesis, insisting he was facing "a different type of pressure now" due to the tension of the championship battle.

But in an interview with Britain's Daily Mail, an unfazed Wolff dismissed his opponent's claim, and snapped back.

©RedBull

"What Christian says about me feeling pressure - no, not at all," said Wolff.

"I feel he is one of the protagonists in a pantomime, part of the Formula 1 cast, and for me as a stakeholder, as a team owner, it's great that he creates these kinds of stories.

"But it's irrelevant. People have a microphone in front of them or a camera on them and they start to behave like little actors, like Hollywood."

Read also: Wolff expects more 'Senna-Prost' antics between Max and Lewis

Wolff says he won't "get drawn" into a war of words with Red Bull's chief, and says the bickering and fuss reminds him of the days when former F1 supremo would stir up some drama for the sake of a good headline.

"It's very good they fill the blanks and make it pantomime," Wolff added. "That’s good for the sport and good for Netflix because they want to portray the people, not just the stopwatch.

"People have realised they are being quoted if they say controversial things. It gives them media time, it gets their picture in the newspapers.

"In many ways we are going back to our roots because what Bernie Ecclestone created back in the day was racing and soap. And when there was not enough racing he made soap, he was always good for a headline. So we're back there.

"But I don't get drawn into it. I find it amusing, but it doesn't touch me."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.