Wolff 'really regrets' relationship fall out with Horner

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Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff regrets the war of words that unfolded last year between himself and his Red Bull counter-part Christian Horner and which undermined the professional relationship between the two men.

There was no love lost last season between the two team chiefs following a series of off-track conflicts between Mercedes and Red Bull.

The rivalry was at its worst ahead the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when Mercedes threatened to protest Red Bull's car which it believed was running a non-conforming flexible rear wing.

Horner then took aim at Mercedes' front wing, saying that Wolff would be better inspired to "keep his mouth shut", a personal gibe to which the Austrian responded by calling Horner "a windbag".

While there was further wrangling between the two teams, the acrimony between Wolff and Horner dissipated in the latter part of the season.

©RedBull

Speaking to Dutch website Formule 1, Wolff says that he now deplores his falling out with Horner.

"I really regret it," he said. "I always try to stay professional and approach things professionally. It got very personal between the two of us at some point, that's right.

"He told me to 'keep my mouth shut' and then I responded by saying he was a windbag and talked too much for the cameras. I shouldn't have said that.

"It's a professional relationship and you know that even your worst enemy has a best friend, so you have to respect that person, even if you fight a hard duel in a professional environment."

Read also: Wolff 'different kind of animal' from other bosses - Horner

Wolff revealed that it was his wife Susie who opened his eyes to the situation.

"Susie pointed that out to me very clearly," Wolff explained.

"She said, 'Why are you having these kinds of discussions? You're trying to win, respect that. Even if someone goes in that direction, you don't have to'. That's called female social intelligence!

"We sometimes have too many hormones," he admitted.

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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.