The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is arguably the most controversial Formula One race of all time. The title decider saw Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton enter the race equal on points, and Hamilton led the race until the very last lap.

After race director Michael Masi’s alleged error in decision-making gave Verstappen the advantage, Hamilton could do nothing to stop Verstappen on new tires from passing for the lead and the championship with it.

Red Bull team Principal Christian Horner said in an interview ahead of the 2023 Grand Prix at the same venue, that Mercedes messed up the strategy for Hamilton, leaving the Briton out on old tires. Toto Wolff slammed back at Horner, telling the Red Bull team boss to stop commenting on Abu Dhabi 2021, especially after comfortable winning the 2023 season.

You’ve won the season, be happy about it, humble, enjoy it. Don’t come out with comments about Abu Dhabi 2021, which are completely off the mark. [It’s a] character question. I just wonder what’s going on up there.

This Mercedes-Red Bull deterioration in relations has been furthered by Christian Horner’s recent comments. Horner claimed that Hamilton had talks with Red Bull about joining the Milton Keyes outfit before extending his contract earlier this season, which Hamilton completely denied.

Toto Wolff has made it a personal mission to help Lewis Hamilton win his eighth title

The 2021 championship was marked by controversy throughout, tainted by the highly disputed finale at Abu Dhabi. Mercedes lodged a complaint immediately to change the results, but their request went unheeded and Max Verstappen was crowned champion, denying Lewis Hamilton a record eighth.

Toto Wolff was deeply upset in the final lap of the race when Michael Masi infamously made the decision to let lapped cars through, which led to Verstappen passing Hamilton for the title, while simultaneously costing Masi his job.

Toto Wolff said the past two years have blitzed past quickly, and said that he still has a “personal anger” about the season, asserting that he has now a drive to assist Hamilton in winning his eighth, as the Austrian team boss believes he should have in 2021.

I have a personal anger, and drive to make him win the eighth title because he should have had it.As a team principal, it is important to be fair and open with both drivers. But there is a big part of us that will always want to be a part of that story in undoing and overcoming 2021.

Toto Wolff said, as reported by racingnews365.com

Lewis Hamilton has not won a single Grand Prix since, and Mercedes’ performance has declined especially with the 2022 regulations. Max Verstappen, meanwhile has gone on to win 33 of the 42 races held since the 2021 season finale, garnering two more World Championships in the process.

In case you missed it:

• WATCH: “Ferrari and Walls have a love and hate relationship”- Fans mock Carlos Sainz as he crashes into the barriers during the FP2 at Abu Dhabi GP

• Ex-Mercedes Strategist James Vowles was reportedly on Red Bull’s Radar to replace Franz Tost before signing with Williams

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