Toto Wolff not over ‘sporting tragedy’ of Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 Abu Dhabi GP defeat to Max Verstappen

Toto Wolff is still not over the controversial end to the Abu Dhabi 2021 championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Toto Wolff not over ‘sporting tragedy’ of Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 Abu Dhabi GP defeat to Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, and Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen won the 2021 World Drivers’ Championship in one of the most controversial manner. The Dutchman emerged victorious over Lewis Hamilton who could’ve broken his and Michael Schumacher‘s joint record of seven championships. However, the controversial end to the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, broke the internet in half and even Toto Wolff hasn’t moved on from the incident yet.

Toto Wolff was extremely frustrated after the controversial end to the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. The team principal immediately fired shots at the then-race director Michael Masi following the unfair advantage to Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton kept silent on the entire matter and continuously hinted at a ‘robbery’ that he was a victim of.

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However, ahead of the 2024 US GP, Wolff has once again recalled the 2021 Abu Dhabi incident. He noted that the campaign was ‘fantastic’ after witnessing an enticing battle between Hamilton and Verstappen. Subsequently, the Austrian labeled the decision a ‘sporting tragedy’ which inadvertently cost Hamilton his eighth world championship.

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Fantastic season in ’21 when Lewis Hamilton fought Max Verstappen, Red Bull and Mercedes – ended up in a sporting tragedy with a call that cost Lewis the championship.

Toto Wolff told CNBC

Toto Wolff hopes to bid farewell to Lewis Hamilton ‘in the best way possible’

Lewis Hamilton still has his hopes pegged on ending the final season with Mercedes on a high. The Briton secured a late-career switch to Ferrari and created one of the biggest sporting news in recent times. Hence, amidst the other ongoing things at Mercedes, Toto Wolff noted that the team wanted to end the year in the best way possible and bid farewell to Hamilton.

We want to end this year as strongly as possible, build momentum for 2025, and bid farewell to Lewis in the best way possible.

Toto Wolff told Planetf1
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (via racefans.net)
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (via racefans.net)

Mercedes’ recent upturn in performance could enable Hamilton to move up the pecking order. The Briton is already facing stern competition from George Russell to overcome one another. Hence, the end-of-the-season battle between the two Silver Arrows would be highly exciting to witness.