Wolff contrite after stewards investigation into Las Vegas expletive rant

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes the FIA was right to reprimand him, after he unleashed a rant on a journalist during the Las Vegas Team Principals Press Conference.

Wolff was responding to criticism of the event after a journalist pressed him on the lengthy delays caused by a loose drain cover, which destroyed the cars of Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon.

After going into a swear-ridden tirade over the situation, he was summoned by the stewards in Abu Dhabi along with Frederic Vasseur, the Ferrari boss being called for his own comments during the same press conference, and issued a warning for the language they used.

Wolff welcomes this, as he feels it sets and example when speaking to select media, including RacingNews365: "I find it very good that we remind all stakeholders that have a public profile, that we are responsible to what we say in the media and on TV," he said.

"If it is Fred and I going to the stewards, if we can trigger a general change of approach of the stewards to sanction swearing, then that is good.

"Nobody should use the 'F word' in the car or outside of the car. We should be role models, especially for the fans that we have, especially the young ones."

Wolff: We're big boys in this sport and we have a responsibility

Wolff pointed towards the responsibility and accountability that individuals must be held to who are in the public eye in F1, and the importance of transparency from the governing body.

"On the other side, it's important to remind all of us stakeholders, whether it is the drivers, team principals, FIA officials, that there is a sporting code, there is an FIA code of ethics, there is a Concord Governance Agreement," added Wolff.

"We have to adhere to the rules around integrity, honesty, transparency, with the sole target to grow the sport and do well for the sport.

"We all have this responsibility and we all should be held accountable for our actions, whatever the seniority of your position.

"This is why I see it as a good situation from the stewards to remind us, starting with the language that we should be utilising, to trigger a genuine reminder about how we interact with each other.

"Language, integrity, honesty, transparency, truthfulness, respecting the governance process, decision making, fairness, and equitability and sporting equity. These are important words for all of us.

"I really like the initiative because I hope to trigger to not use the F word in the media, wherever we are.

"We have a responsibility. We're big boys in the sport and we have an obligation to the sport not to fall foul with our words."