Jack Wolff was hit on the shoulder when a rival’s kart flew over his cockpit in Italy on Friday. Reports say he walked away, and he finished tenth in a ten-lap race on Saturday.
Toto Wolff’s nine-year-old son, Jack, was involved in a frightening multi-kart crash on Friday at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo, Italy. He was taking part in Qualifying Heat 3 of the X30 Mini category. Reports say he got out of the kart unaided, though he is said to have received minor medical treatment. Official timing records show he returned to racing on Saturday and finished tenth in Super Heat 1.
How the crash unfolded
On the final lap, Jack, in kart No. 25, was fighting for the lead with Nahyl Elgahoudi. Their wheels touched, and Elgahoudi’s kart launched up and over the front of Jack’s machine. It balanced on two wheels before narrowly avoiding a full rollover. Jack was sent spinning. With nowhere to go, the trailing driver, Dimitar Uzunov, hit Jack’s almost stationary kart, went airborne and flew over the cockpit, striking Jack’s shoulder.
The commentator said: “Look at that straight over the top there went… went Uzunov. How Elgahoudi did not flip there, I do not know… and Wolff as well, taking a big hit to the shoulder.”
Reports indicate Jack left the kart without help and was keen to return to the paddock. The race was stopped with red flags, according to talkSPORT, and marshals attended him. It reported that officials brought a medical backboard, and that Jack was seen standing and speaking to them. No formal medical diagnosis has been published. No stewarding decision against any driver was found, so the collision should not be described as deliberate or dangerous driving.
According to IAME’s report, Jack was classified second in the heat, behind Elgahoudi. The timing sheet records seven laps, a best lap of 1:01.608 and a gap of 1.332 seconds to Elgahoudi. He had won the sixth qualifying heat on Thursday 22 October, ahead of Aaron Bordanova and Elgahoudi.
Back on track
On Saturday, Jack started Super Heat 1 and completed all ten laps, finishing tenth of 36 listed drivers. His fastest lap was 1 minute 1.333 seconds, and he finished 3.897 seconds behind the winner, Albi-Jay Stubbs. Elgahoudi finished fourth. Returning to racing does not by itself show that he had no minor injuries or discomfort. The X30 Mini final was scheduled for 4pm Italian time (3pm UK).
The Wolff family
The crash came about a month after Jack won the IAME Series Italy title in the X30 Under-10 category. He competes mainly across Europe and has just finished his debut season, with his first race win coming in July. Toto Wolff has run Mercedes’ Formula 1 team since 2013 as team principal and holds a 33.3% stake. Mercedes won a record eight successive Constructors’ Championships between 2014 and 2021 under his leadership. Jack’s mother, Susie, a former racing driver, is managing director of F1 Academy.
The source suggests both parents would have been shaken as they watched. Der Standard reports instead that Toto and Susie Wolff were in Austin, Texas, for the US Grand Prix weekend and the F1 Academy event there. Neither has been confirmed as an eyewitness, and no statement from either has been found.
Speaking at a karting event this summer, Mr Wolff said: “This is where it all starts. Formula 1 is basically this on steroids. Same kind of racing and watching the kids is just a super experience.”
He added: “It’s important to find the right balance because obviously as a parent you’re emotionally involved and it’s completely normal. But he’s nine years old. There are so many small kids and you need to strike the balance right and we try. Sometimes we get it wrong. You have difficult moments and he had some difficult moments. But in the end it comes all together, and every little failure is a learning for the future. Just give them time. They’re so small, let them enjoy the karting and that’s the most important.”
