Toto Wolff brands Michael Masi an ‘idiot who made the wrong decision’ while recalling 2021 Abu Dhabi GP 

Toto Wolff had harsh words for Australian former Race Director Michael Masi when reflecting upon the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that robbed Lewis Hamilton of his 8th title chances.

Toto Wolff brands Michael Masi an ‘idiot who made the wrong decision’ while recalling 2021 Abu Dhabi GP 

Toto Wolff and Michael Masi (via Sky Sports F1)

The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP is arguably the most controversial race in the past three decades, dividing the Formula 1 community through the middle. The concluding race was the title decider between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, ending in favor of the Dutch lion.

The final lap of the race was shaken by Nicholas Latifi’s retirement, bringing out a safety car. With four lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen, the Mercedes crew did the safe thing by keeping Hamilton out of the pits while his rival switched for newer softs. 

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However, the race director Michael Masi broke regulations to allow the lapped cars between the two title contenders to go through, leaving Lewis Hamilton vulnerable and under attack by Verstappen with a huge tyre disparity. The helpless reigning Champion was overtaken by the 24-year-old, who won the first of his three consecutive titles.

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff lashed out at Michael Masi’s incompetency, branding his decision completely incorrect. Michael Masi’s departure from the FIA as a result of the situation occurred two years ago, but the Austrian team boss still holds some animosity towards him.

But I don’t want to waste a minute [thinking] about the reasons, because that would give the guy [Michael Masi] too much credit. He’s just an idiot who made the wrong decision.

Toto Wolff said, as reported by formu1a.uno

Lewis Hamilton has not won a single Formula One race since the controversial incident, failing to stand on top of the podium for the past two years, the first time this has occurred in his career. Max Verstappen, meanwhile has won two additional championships in record-breaking dominant fashion.


Toto Wolff says Mercedes will never get over 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a nightmare event for Mercedes, who had won the Constructors’ Championship a record-breaking eight times in a row by then, but could not achieve the same feat with the WDC.

Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

Team principal Toto Wolff claimed that the Brackley based team had been “scarred” to the point that they would never recover completely from the incident, which saw Lewis Hamilton miss out on possibly his last chance to break the record for most championships by a driver.

Brutal scars, incredible scars, and we will never get over them – in a way.
They became scars, and there are moments when you think – How could that happen? We know how it happened.

Toto Wolff said, as reported by formu1a.uno

Mercedes has only won a single race since the incident, with George Russell leading a 1-2 finish at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. With a second place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2023, the Mercedes crew is looking to make a step forwards in 2024 with a brand-new concept introduced for the W15.

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