Wolff may ‘shut up next time’ after Bottas F1 radio motivation “flatlined”

Wolff has regularly been heard giving Bottas messages of encouragement since qualifying for last season’s finale in Abu Dhabi following an agreement to support each other more during race weekends. 

The Mercedes team principal once again came over the radio in the race in Portugal as Bottas chased Verstappen for second place, saying: “Hunt him down, Valtteri, you’re the fastest car.” 

Despite Bottas’ best efforts, the Finn’s hopes of catching Verstappen were ultimately dashed by a sensor issue that caused his engine to enter a safety mode, costing him five seconds over two laps.

"We discussed it and I enjoy it also, because I'm so passionate about things that having a release valve to Valtteri I thought works well,” Wolff said after the race. 

“It actually didn't work well this time, so I maybe need to shut up next time, or at least discuss it with him.

"I need to speak to him again. He's mentally strong, when you saw how he recovered from last weekend [at Imola].

"He was really catching up, really hunting him [Verstappen] down, but when I came on the radio, it kind of flatlined. So maybe not in the future any more.”

But Bottas said he would be happy for the in-race communication between himself and Wolff to continue. 

"There's been many times that he's opened the radio to say something," Bottas explained. 

"It's all supportive and it shows there's the support and the passion behind - and it never hurts.

"Obviously I'm always giving it every single bit I have on track, but yeah, it's good."