Formula 1: Toto Wolff still thinks of Max Verstappen’s Abu Dhabi GP title win every day: The Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff still thinks of the title win that Max Verstappen clinched last year at the controversial Abu Dhabi GP on a daily routine. Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap at Turn 5 to clinch his maiden F1 title. Follow Formula 1 & Belgian GP LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
The controversial end to last year’s F1 season still haunts Wolff daily as we approach the halfway mark of the F1 2022 season. “I think about it every day. But I have my peace with Max winning the championship because he’s a deserving champion. How it panned out, I think I have values around fairness, and especially sporting fairness. This is what provides my fundamental love for the sport. And then that was kicked with the feet on that particular day,” Wolff said.
Meanwhile, Masi was replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas who control alternate races while Mohammed Ben Sulayem took over from Jean Todt as FIA President in December 2021.
Formula 1: Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas replaced Michael Masi as the race director for the F1 2022 season.Wolff on Mohammed Ben Sulayem, “I think Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the way he’s hiring and recruiting, shows me direction. Every personality has his edges. And I think the primary objective of being transparent, providing good governance and a good framework is what I see happening. Are there going to be bumps on the road because Mohammed’s organisation needs to fall in place and everybody needs to find their roles? Yeah, for sure. But I’m happy with how it’s going. They are open minded. They’re not opinionated. For me, transparent, honest and have integrity.”
The Brit driver led a significant part of the Abu Dhabi GP, yet the Red Bull driver took the success on the last lap after a messed-up safety car restart. Masi was the man in charge of the race and ended the safety car period early to have a last-lap shootout.
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE FINAL LAP!!!
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT 🏆🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZL41FN8Re6
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) December 12, 2021
Verstappen was donning new tyres which gave him grip as Hamilton’s tyres were old which was the downfall for the Brit. It was a last-lap shootout and whoever took the win will take the F1 title. The Red Bull driver overtook Hamilton on Turn 5 and gave his everything to see the chequered flag in the first place as he clinched his maiden F1 title.
The two onboard views of that extraordinary final lap #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/1FiDGddxjC
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 16, 2021
Meanwhile, later on, the FIA conceded that Michael Masi had not taken care of the circumstance accurately and was even eliminated him from the job of the race director.