Toto Wolff jokingly branded Fred Vasseur ‘idiotic’ after Ferrari’s United States Grand Prix success.
Charles Leclerc won the race, with Carlos Sainz coming to complete a one-two finish.
Vasseur was being interviewed by the F1 Nation Podcast in Texas when Wolff interrupted.
The Mercedes boss said of his Ferrari rival: “He’s so good. I said, I’m inspired by Fred and the Ferrari team and his performances. I really am.”
Vasseur replied: “He told me for once you don’t look like an idiot or something like this in the WhatsApp [chat], no?”
Wolff corrected him, insisting: “I said you still look idiotic, but you’re not idiotic!
“It’s so good how you recovered from before the summer to being right dominant now. We’re looking at it with admiration.
“I don’t want to give you a kiss then they would know!”
