Toto Wolff takes a dig at F1 over 2021 Abu Dhabi GP drama while predicting Mercedes’s championship P2 win over Ferrari 

Wolff aims dig at Masi with a "proper" race director remark.


Toto Wolff takes a dig at F1 over 2021 Abu Dhabi GP drama while predicting Mercedes’s championship P2 win over Ferrari 

Toto Wolff (via MercedesNewsUK/X)

Mercedes and Ferrari have locked horns over the fight for P2 in the Constructors’ Championship. The two giants of the pinnacle of motorsport have been regular visitors to the podium throughout the season, especially after Aston Martin’s decline.

Mercedes had the upper hand in the battle until the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where they had a terrible weekend, conceding some ground to Ferrari. Further points went the way of the Scuderia Ferrari in Las Vegas after a penalty for George Russell and two major incidents for Lewis Hamilton.

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Team Principal Toto Wolff had some comments on the situation between the two teams. Even with only one round left in the 2023 F1 season, Wolff said Mercedes would “pretty much equal” Ferrari on points in Abu Dhabi. Toto Wolff took a dig at former race director Michael Masi who controversially decided the 2021 Championship in Max Verstappen’s favour. Wolff said with a “proper” race director, Mercedes should retain second place.

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I think we’re going there pretty much equal on points. With a proper race director, we should be fine.

Toto Wolff has had his share of friction with Ferrari in the past. After squabbling over the title in 2017 and 2018, Mercedes outscored Ferrari regularly until 2022, when the Tifosi team emerged ahead. After a setback with the no-side-pods concept, Mercedes recovered well to keep second in the championship thus far.

Carlos Sainz taunts Mercedes over Las Vegas GP results

Carlos Sainz pulled off an incredible drive at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a chaotic start. The Spaniard was dropped down to P18 after the turn 1 multi-car incident, and his hope for points seemingly. However, a bit of luck with a safety car and driving skill saw Sainz make some great passes.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz at the Las Vegas Grand Prix (via Sky Sports F1)

Sainz significantly finished just ahead of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell respectively. Mercedes were one of the teams not to support a measure that would see Sainz escape a controversial penalty for replacing a component. Sainz said it made him happy to finish ahead of those who “wanted him to be penalized”

I'm very happy to finish ahead of those who wanted me to be penalized.

Carlos Sainz had started 12th on the grid after his penalty, and his recovery to sixth helped Ferrari completely outscore Mercedes in Las Vegas. In the last round at Abu Dhabi, every point will count as only four points lie between the two teams heading into the season finale.

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