Wolff begins summer break in hospital

Aug.4 (GMM) Toto Wolff began his summer break in hospital, the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag reports.

During a pre-Hungary team building exercise, Mercedes' team boss broke his arm in several places in a high speed road cycling pileup.

Wolff, 42, had surgery to repair the damage but nonetheless made it to the paddock for the Hungarian grand prix.

But just days after the race at the Hungaroring, Wolff was due to travel to London for a meeting with fellow team chiefs.

The meeting was reportedly cancelled because the Austrian fell ill.

In fact, he was in hospital.

"After the race in Budapest I suddenly had a fever and had to return to the clinic," Wolff confirmed.

The newspaper said the doctors ordered that his mobile phone be switched off for at least 48 hours.

"I just had to rest as the injuries were easily inflamed," Wolff explained.

But his period of rest did not prevent him from lashing out at the cloud of 'negativity' that is sweeping F1, particularly after the crowd numbers at Hockenheim recently were so low.

"Just because Hockenheim had lower numbers doesn't mean the sport is bad," he exclaimed.

"I can't stand this permanent bad-talk about formula one. It is simply wrong.

"We haven't had so much overtaking in the last 20 years. We have Alonso keeping Ferrari in there with his amazing performances. We have the exciting question of whether Ferrari throw Kimi Raikkonen out.

"We have Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel desperately fighting back after four world championships. And we have our two drivers fighting freely for the title," said Wolff.

Nonetheless, the cancelled crisis meeting has been rescheduled.

"We do not need a revolution, but an evolution," Wolff insisted.