Toto Wolff branded a 'rock star' after embracing 'cleaning-his-pants' scare

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has branded Toto Wolff as his Canadian Grand Prix "rock star" after allowing his drivers to fight — something which would have left him "cleaning his pants".

The biggest story from the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was the intense battles between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell across the sprint and the grand prix.

Antonelli and Russell's battles were hard but fair, although the former did find himself off the circuit twice in the sprint and once again in the main race.

Unfortunately, the duo's scrap was short-lived in the grand prix due to Russell suffering a battery failure while leading, forcing him to retire, which handed Antonelli a fourth consecutive win.

Nevertheless, the pair were allowed to fight, with the Mercedes team principal having minimal involvement over the radio.

It was an approach that gained huge respect from Steiner, given how uncomfortable those situations can be.

Asked why Wolff was his "rock star" of the Canadian GP, Steiner said on the Red Flags Podcast: "I mean, he didn't interfere, didn't say anything, just left them out there, and you have no idea... 

"I think the rock star should be the person who is cleaning his pants, you know, because for me, he must have been sitting there nervously. But fair play to him. Full respect — when you're in such a position, it's just like, 'Hey guys, what is happening here?'

"No, he let them go, he let them race. I mean, for sure, he was sitting there nervous, but he didn't show it. He was stoic — fair play. That's why he's the rock star of Canada."

Wolff's 'remarkable' approach

Wolff did get involved at one stage during the sprint when Antonelli issued several complaints over the radio about Russell, demanding a punishment for the Briton.

The Austrian told the championship leader to wait until after the sprint to voice his frustration, but other than that, he let the pair fight as much as they wished.

"For Toto not to put an end to it was remarkable, in my opinion," added Steiner.

"I can joke about the smell of Toto's pants, you know, but in the end he deserves [to be called a rock star], in my opinion, because that is what made it interesting."