Gutierrez rejects Wolff's public comments

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Esteban Gutierrez has rebuffed the public criticism of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff following last Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix.

Wolff directed a few negative remarks at the Haas driver, accusing Gutierrez of 'cruising' in the closing stages of the race and putting Nico Rosberg's lead over Daniel Riccairdo into jeopardy for failing to respect deployed blue flags.

Gutierrez hit back at the Austrian however, not only defending his stance in the race but also Wolff's choice of berating him in a public forum.

"Making fun of me publicly is not a fair way to do things,' the Mexican explained to Autosport.

"He could very easily have come to me and spoken to me face-to-face. If he has something to say he can come to me and speak about it. He knows I am an open person, he knows I’m very transparent.

"It’s just disappointing what was said [by Wolff]. But people can make fun of me, they can say whatever they want, but there are rules. If I was doing something wrong then I would be penalised, as simple as that."

Gutierrez has come under scrutiny by his peers on several occasions this season. In Hungary, the Haas driver received a five-second penalty for holding up Lewis Hamilton, while Daniel Ricciardo also had a few harsh words for the Mexican after a slow blue-flag response in Germany.

"I did something wrong in Budapest, and I was penalised - although I was only penalised because Lewis complained.

"But I wasn't penalised in Singapore. I was doing my race. I was fighting as well, so I will continue my way. I will continue to move forward, to keep improving, with the consistency in my results showing how close we are to the points, to the top 10.

"Nothing will stop me, I will keep pushing, and getting in the points will happen. I believe in it."

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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.