Mercedes' Wolff Draws Backlash From Italian Taxi Drivers After Verstappen Incident

After Max Verstappen's aggressive collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff compared Verstappen's driving to that of chaotic Italian taxi drivers in Rome and Naples, sparking outrage among the local taxi community. Taxi drivers and their unions strongly defended their profession, emphasizing the skill required to navigate the city's challenging traffic and criticizing Wolff's comments as unfair stereotypes. Verstappen received a 10-second penalty and three penalty points for the incident, which damaged his race result and title chances, while Russell finished fourth and gained ground in the championship standings. The incident has reignited tensions between Verstappen and Russell, with both drivers publicly exchanging criticisms. Wolff's remarks have drawn significant media attention and backlash, highlighting a rare clash between Formula 1 personalities and everyday drivers in Italy. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about driving styles, respect, and the perception of skill both on and off the track.