Toto Wolff denies allegations of being “depressed or sad” about Lewis Hamilton’s contentious loss at the 2021 Abu Dhabi race.
Toto Wolff reflects on the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP and clarifies that he is neither depressed nor saddened by the controversial incident.
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is regarded as one of the most contentious races in Formula 1 history. Max Verstappen clinched his first F1 championship by overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of this tumultuous event.
The controversy arose from race director Michael Masi’s management of a late safety car. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has previously criticized Masi’s decision-making openly. Recently, the Austrian addressed the 2021 race and discussed Masi’s role in it once more.
Lewis Hamilton came close to securing his eighth world championship at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He had delivered impressive performances all season and was in the lead during the race.
A contentious decision by 46-year-old Michael Masi significantly altered the outcome of the race. He restarted it on lap 57 at the Yas Marina circuit, permitting only the lapped cars between Hamilton and Max Verstappen to pass.
This resulted in a thrilling showdown on the final lap, where the Dutch driver overtook Hamilton to claim the championship. Following an investigation by FIA, Masi was relieved of his position as race director. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff voiced his frustration, expressing that he felt intense anger instead of sadness.
I was angry—just angry, not depressed or sad—that a bad decision allowed someone to deprive the best driver in the world of an eighth championship. However, it’s important to place this in context: there are dictators and politicians globally who cause immense suffering, which far surpasses Lewis losing his chance at an eighth title or any disappointment we face as a team.
