The aftermath of the Grand Prix of Émilie-Romagne degenerated into a real cheating scandal. Toto Wolff, director of the Mercedes stable, would have launched a virulent accusation against Red Bull Racing. Wolff said, “They cheated! “Saying that Red Bull had illegally pierced holes in the brake pads of Max Verstappen’s single -seater, a maneuver which, according to him, contributed directly to the overwhelming victory of the Dutch in Imola. This explosive accusation sparked a keen debate within the Paddock of Formula 1 and caused a shock wave among the fans.

Wolff’s allegations, formulated during a stormy interview after the race, suggest a deliberate manipulation of the braking system to obtain a unfair advantage. If the technical specificities of the drilling of brake pads are complex and rigorously controlled by FIA regulations, the direct accusation of Wolff implies a manifest involvement in sports integrity. Such a modification could potentially contribute to the cooling of the brakes, improve performance or modify aerodynamics, thus conferring in Verstappen an undue advantage on the difficult circuit of Imola.

This explosive accusation sparked an immediate and equally virulent response from Christian Horner, director of the Red Bull team. In a rapid counter-declaration, Horner would have delivered a concise and biting replica which not only silenced Toto Wolff, but also moved many fans, pushing them to “cry and applaud” his defense. If the exact formulation of Horner’s response is still the subject of many debates, its content is perceived as a powerful justification for the legitimate victory of his team and a rejection of the statements of Wolff, described as simple bitter statements.

The triumphant and moving answer of Horner, who apparently overshadowed the technical allegations, deeply touched the fans, in particular those who had enough persistent accusations and mind games between the two rival teams. The exchange in Imola has intensified the already fierce rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull, and the F1 community is now awaiting an official FIA investigation into the serious accusations of Wolff, promising new twists and turns in an increasingly controversial 2025 season.