“I think we overshot” – Toto Wolff calls for a ban on broadcasting of radio messages between team principals and race director

Samriddhi Jaiswal | 22/12/2021
"My values ​​are simply not compatible with the decisions that were made" - Mercedes boss Toto Wolff slams FIA for Abu Dhabi fiasco but stops short of asking for Michael Masi's resignation

Toto Wolff was heard fuming over the radio during the Abu Dhabi GP after being denied a drivers’ title.

Toto Wolff has called for a ban on the broadcasting of radio conversations between the team principals and race directors.

After the season finale took a drastic turn for Mercedes, Wolff was heard fuming over the radio. Since the lights out at the Yas Marina Circuit, it seemed like Lewis Hamilton will end it with a record-breaking eighth title.

However, a decision by the race director in the last lap changed the entire course of the race. Due to which Max Verstappen comfortably overtook his title rival to win his first world championship title.

Unhappy with how the race unfolded in the last lap, a frustrated Toto Wolff was heard talking to the race director Michael Masi across the world.

Infuriated by the controversial decision, Wolff said, “you need to reinstate the lap before. That’s not right.” To which, Masi replied, “Toto, it’s called a motor race. We went car racing.”

Also Read: Michael Masi shuts Mercedes boss Toto Wolff up after the latter complained 

Toto Wolff blames himself for the decision

After the Abu Dhabi incident, the managing director of motorsport, Ross Brawn has said that the team principals should not have a direct line to Masi.

Toto Wolff agrees with what Brawn said. He told Motorsport.com, “I agree with Ross. But I equally blame Ross and myself because we have been part of the decision making. To broadcast more of the channels for the purpose of transparency and entertainment for the fans.”

Wolff pointed out that there is so much going on the intercom. The idea was to give fans a bit of an overview of all the little dramas that happen, like is the car breaking down, is there a strategy discussion.

“But I think we overshot,” he further added. “I need to take myself by the nose and Christian. We were given the opportunity to talk to the race director directly, and because we fight so fiercely for the interests of our teams, all of us overstepped.”

“It certainly was part of the failures this year that under pressure from the team principals, the race director’s life wasn’t made easier, certainly,” Wolff concluded.

Also Read: Red Bull chief reveals how Max Verstappen transformed his personality since 2016

Post Edited By: Samriddhi Jaiswal
Christian Horner FIA Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen Mercedes Michael Masi Red Bull Ross Brawn Toto Wolff

About the author

Samriddhi Jaiswal

Samriddhi Jaiswal is an F1 editor and writer at The SportsRush. She started her career as a business journalist but soon found her calling in lights out here we go! Samriddhi has been a Ferrari fan even when her interaction with F1 was occasional. Her first real experience with the thrilling sport came when Charles Leclerc clinched his iconic victory in Spa and Monza and painted the track red. Now, a Tifosi, Samriddhi is a hardcore fan of the prancing horse and can relate to the chaos within the Italian camp and also admires Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Off the track, she finds her home in books and musical instruments.

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