Jack Wolff, the nine-year-old son of Mercedes-Motorsportchef Toto Wolff and F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff, was involved in a multi-kart collision during the IAME Warrior Final in Viterbo, Italy, according to multiple motorsport reports. The young driver escaped serious injury following a late-race crash that saw a trailing competitor’s kart launch over his chassis.
Jack Wolff crashes during Viterbo karting race
Competing in the X30 Mini category at the international karting event in Viterbo, Jack Wolff battled at the front of the field for the race win during the final laps. According to race reports, the incident occurred when Wolff tangled wheels with Moroccan competitor Nahyl El Gahoudi while contesting the lead. The contact sent Wolff’s kart spinning while El Gahoudi’s vehicle lifted off the asphalt. A third driver, Dimitar Uzunov, was unable to avoid the spinning machinery and collided with Wolff’s kart, launching over the Austrian youngster and striking his shoulder, as detailed by Motorsport-Total.com.
Wolff returns to racing after medical checkup
Despite the dramatic nature of the crash, which required trackside medical attention after Wolff climbed out of his kart showing visible discomfort, journalists on site quickly provided reassurance. Motorsport writer Thomas Maher reported on social media that the nine-year-old was thankfully doing well after a brief medical checkup. Coverage from Bild noted that Wolff quickly turned his attention back to racing, insisting on returning to the cockpit for Saturday’s sessions, where he ultimately placed 10th in a 35-kart field just behind Johan Berger, son of Gerhard Berger.
Parental Response from Austin
At the time of the incident, Toto and Susie Wolff were across the Atlantic in Austin, Texas, preparing for the United States Grand Prix weekend with the Mercedes Formula 1 team. Speaking to Sky, Toto Wolff confirmed his son’s condition: Everything is good, everything is good,
adding that racing at the front involves heated battles but that being unhurt is what matters most. The crash brought renewed attention to the family’s earlier reservations regarding the sport’s inherent dangers, with Toto Wolff having previously remarked in 2019 that he would prefer his son not become a racing driver because it is dangerous.
Eye-opening crash in karting involving Toto Wolff's son, Jack, today.He's the one the kart goes over…Thankfully, he's fine, although he did need some minor treatment after walking away.He's adamant he's racing again tomorrow, so he's showing some early tenacity… #F1 pic.twitter.com/ZBaTyIjfrD
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