Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has explained the humorous present he sent to Williams boss James Vowles after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Williams enjoyed a successful race in Baku with Carlos Sainz, who crossed the line in third place to secure his maiden podium with the team.
The Spaniard has endured a tough campaign since joining the squad at the start of the season, but produced a mature drive to bag Williams' first podium in four years.
After the race, Vowles received a gift from Wolff with a message attached reading: “Lucky bastard! Congrats on your first podium as a TP.”
Wolff asserted it was a tongue-in-cheek message and praised Vowles' input at the squad.
“The lucky bastard is more jovial,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365.
“As team principals, we get lots of the criticism, but also the glory, when others are doing a great job.
“And I’m 100 per cent convinced that James is a great contributor to the team’s success, and to the long-term thinking.
“Everybody delivered. The driver delivered. The pit stops were good overall. It’s a trajectory that I enjoy seeing with him and for the team.”
Vowles worked closely with Wolff at Mercedes before taking on the team boss role two and a half years ago.
Having started from the front row, Sainz slipped to third behind Mercedes' George Russell. Vowles conceded there was little the 31-year-old could do to keep Russell behind.
“Just an exceptional drive by him,” Vowles told Sky F1. “Lap after lap, he just built the pace.
“We knew Mercedes was quick, but well done to him. He didn't put a foot wrong all weekend.”
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