Toto Wolff has reopened the controversy in regards to the contentious 2021 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton misplaced out on what would have been an all-time report eighth F1 title within the closing moments of the final race of the season.
Race director Michael Masi’s controversial utility of the Security Automobile rule enabled Max Verstappen to win his first title, ushering in Purple Bull’s period of glory.
Mercedes boss Wolff hit out at Christian Horner’s Purple Bull on the Armchair Skilled podcast: “The opposite aspect – not Max – there was not one sentence to say ‘it was a tough day for Mercedes, we acknowledge it, they’re each deserving champions and in the present day it went in opposition to Mercedes’.
“There was not one phrase from Christian or the staff to acknowledge that. It was entitlement.”
Wolff claims that Mercedes would have handled the difficulty in another way.
“We’d have mentioned it,” he insisted.
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Wolff insists that the occasions of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP stay among the many most controversial throughout any sport.
“Most likely in most sports activities as a result of it was so clear that the referee determined to do one thing which was not within the rulebook,” he mentioned.
“It was not even a judgement name, it was not within the rulebook.”
Wolff added: “The strict interpretation of the rule is that you must unlap the vehicles and make them be a part of on the again.
“[Then] we win the championship. It’s clear. There aren’t sufficient laps left. The race finishes below a Security Automobile.
“The second model is: when you make the vehicles unlap, you want another lap earlier than a inexperienced flag. We win the championship.
“The third? Extra of an outlier, in opposition to the principles, however we might have understood – you have got a inexperienced flag lap, not behind a Security Automobile. Then Lewis would have gained as a result of there have been three or 4 vehicles in between.
“Anyway, this was not a part of the rule.”
Wolff continued about Masi’s involvement: “Then, somebody decides that the championship ought to finish with a lap. Unlapping the vehicles within the center was extraordinary.
“Each drivers had been deserving world champions.”
Hamilton hinted at retiring within the quick aftermath of the 2021 finale.
Upon his return, Mercedes slumped right into a dreadful two-year interval.
Though he ended his winless run final summer season at Silverstone, Hamilton has spent three years and not using a automotive that constantly fights on the entrance.
This yr he has swapped Mercedes for Ferrari, aiming to lastly seize the elusive eighth F1 title.