Red Bull Formula One boss Christian Horner has praised Mercedes rival Toto Wolff for speaking out about the mental health issues that have plagued him for more than a decade despite unprecedented success.
Wolff, an Austrian, told the Sunday Times last week that he had been seeing a psychiatrist since 2004 and had received more than 500 hours of therapy.
“I have suffered mentally, I still suffer. Getting help is a way of overcoming my problems and it has helped me access untapped potential,” said the man who has led Mercedes to a record eight successive constructors’ titles.
“I’ve never had a problem with stigma. Some of the most successful people are very, very sensitive, and very, very sensitive means very, very vulnerable.”
Horner told reporters at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix that it was an important issue.
“All credit to Toto for having the courage to speak out about his mental health issues,” he said. “I think it’s something in this business that we’re very aware of and something that we’re looking to be proactive about.
“I’m lucky I haven’t had any issues personally, but I have had…friends I know who have suffered as a result of mental health issues.”
Wolff and Horner waged a season-long war of words last year as the battle raged between their teams and seven-time world champion Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton fought Red Bull max verstappen for the title
Verstappen won the final showdown, with Hamilton and Mercedes feeling robbed by a controversial late safety car decision made by the now-deceased race director Michael Masi.
Wolff called Horner a “quack” during last season’s verbal confrontation and compared the Briton to a driver going the wrong way on the motorway who still thought he was the only one right, while the Red Bull boss had compared Wolff to a pantomime lady. .
Despite his often combative personality and figurehead role, Wolff said he had felt depressed and inadequate.
“It all depends on how you perceive yourself. High-profile people who seem to have it all but are struggling, I think we have an obligation to say we’re getting help and it’s okay to get help,” he said.
“Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka deserve a lot of credit for how they have spoken about this.”
American Olympic gymnast Biles sparked a groundbreaking global conversation about athletes’ mental wellbeing at last year’s Tokyo Games and tennis player Osaka has been open about her struggles.
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