Wing protest war could kick off at Baku - Rosberg
"It’s really going to be on if Mercedes protests Red Bull"
Nico Rosberg thinks it is more than possible that title rivals Mercedes and Red Bull will fire protests at one another ahead of next weekend’s Baku GP.
Dr Helmut Marko has warned his Austrian countryman Toto Wolff to expect a counter-protest if Mercedes lodges a protest against Red Bull’s allegedly ’bendy’ rear wing.
Both Marko and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner have said that if Mercedes presses ahead, the energy drink stable could return fire with a protest against Mercedes’ excessive front wing flexibility.
2016 world champion Nico Rosberg says there is no love lost between Wolff and Marko, and also between the Mercedes team boss and Horner.
"I heard Toto say he would rather fight with Ferrari than with Red Bull, and it wasn’t very nice of him to put it that way," the former Mercedes driver told Sky Italia.
"Toto doesn’t always talk very nicely about Christian either," Rosberg smiled. "I think we could really see something fire up between Mercedes and Red Bull.
"It’s really going to be on if Mercedes protests the Red Bull rear wing. Toto has already said that he intends to, so it could happen at the next race in Baku.
"It’s a big topic for Formula 1," the German added. "I think if Mercedes does it, Red Bull will also protest against Mercedes and then the dam has burst."
However, F1 sporting director Ross Brawn says he would be "amazed" if the stewards at Baku "go against the opinion of the FIA" in the event of a protest against Red Bull.
Mercedes F1
Even Newey couldn’t solve Mercedes slump - Wolff
Wolff denies Antonelli will make F1 debut at Imola
Mercedes only ’partially’ a top F1 team now
Hopeful rookie on standby for two F1 teams
More on Mercedes F1
Red Bull
Wolff sides with Marko, hits back at Red Bull CEO Mintzlaff
Ferrari, McLaren, ending Red Bull’s ’comfort zone’ era
Verstappen ’hasn’t said a word’ about Red Bull exit - CEO
Mintzlaff: Wolff should concentrate on his challenges
Vasseur says ’no comment’ as Newey eyes red or green
More on Red Bull