Three years have now passed since the chaotic finish of the Abu Dhabi GP, a race that proved decisive for the 2021 title between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton due to the reckless decision Michael Masi made in the final stages of the race.
The former race director decided to allow one final lap, permitting only the cars positioned between the two title contenders to un-lap themselves, thus contravening the sporting regulations. This opened the door for Max Verstappen, who, with significantly fresher tires, managed to swiftly overtake his rival and secure the first title of his career.
Even though a lot of time has passed since that dramatic (in sporting terms) December 12, Toto Wolff still remembers it all as if it were yesterday. The Austrian had already targeted Michael Masi in the past, accusing him of behaving like a “pathological egomaniac.”
A scar still deep
As a guest on the High Performance podcast, the Mercedes team principal returned to discuss the former FIA race director and the painful title loss: “I felt angry, not depressed or sad, just angry that one individual was able to take away the eighth title from the best driver in the world with a wrong decision.” – he pointed out.
“But you have to put it in context. There are dictators around the world and politicians who cause so much pain that it’s in no way comparable to Lewis losing his eighth title or to us as a team. But the anger of that moment… even Lewis learned to manage his emotions very well and after a few days. The injustice of that particular day still lingers with us.”
‘I tried to guide him’
Toto Wolff also revealed that he had tried to help Michael Masi following the tragic passing of Charlie Whiting in 2019: “I tried to talk to Michael and guide him throughout the year. I tried to tell him, ‘Listen, I’ve been in this sport for a long time. Listen to the drivers, don’t be stubborn in your decisions.’”
“I tried to do it for the good of the sport and, of course, for us as a team, to avoid being vulnerable to situations that could be totally damaging. In this sense, what happened is unforgivable.”
“Now, one might say that empathy should make me understand how he feels, I realize how he must have felt, and I know it’s not okay, but he could have thought it through all year. There were people, not just me, who were trying to support him in the right way.” – Toto Wolff added.
“Sometimes you have to admit that someone is doing things their own way or making their own decisions, so I don’t worry about it anymore. I think about it especially because Lewis deserved to be the greatest of all time with eight world titles.” – the Mercedes team principal concluded.
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