'Max Verstappen needs to lose the raw edges'

Toto Wolff thinks Max Verstappen is a potential World Champion, but needs to lose the “raw edges” first.

We witnessed both sides of the Dutchman at the Brazilian Grand Prix: unquestionable racing speed matched by questionable behaviour when confronting Esteban Ocon in the weighing room.

Ex-Formula 1 driver turned pundit Martin Brundle is one of many who believes Verstappen’s tendency to see red mist could come back to haunt him.

And Mercedes boss, Wolff, also thinks Verstappen needs to work in order to become the finished article.

“You can see there is a future champion coming together, unbelievable talent and speed,” Wolff said.

“I think once the raw edges are off, he will be somebody who will be a world champion one day.

“In a few years, he will look at the footage of [Brazil] and maybe have his own opinion as to whether that was the right behaviour or not.

“But you can’t accelerate those things. This is a learning process.”

Red Bull motorsport advisor, Dr Helmut Marko, suggested Ocon’s collision with Verstappen was part of a Mercedes conspiracy to help them clinch the Constructors’ Championship.

But Wolff would not be drawn on those controversial comments.

“This is how Dr. Marko sees the world, and I want to leave it with that,” he added.

“I don’t want to go on this level. We have a fifth world championship to celebrate.”

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