In a recent development, Toto Wolff snubbed conspiracy theories behind the loss of their 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Red Bull. But, having said that, the Mercedes boss blamed it all on “one man” and he’s none other than Michael Masi.
As per a recently published report by ESPN UK, the Austrian executive said that it was all down to just Masi that night in the Yas Marina Circuit. It was his call that sealed the fate of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes because he “lost the plot,” declared the 51-year-old.
However, Wolff further asserted that he’s at peace now with the Abu Dhabi GP incident. But he’ll keep his wish for Jean Todt to interfere in the race proceeding instead of filming for his own film.
Todt, the FIA president at the time, revealed a few weeks back in a Canal Plus documentary that both Toto Wolff and Christian Horner reached out to him regarding this. While he was asked to intervene, he saw the entire race sitting at his home in Paris.
Hamilton revealed the aftermath of the Abu Dhabi incident
As the race concluded, Hamilton saw his eternal rival for the 2021 season erupt in joy, while he sits in the car in disbelief. Now, after one full season and a half, the seven-time world champion revealed his feelings on the fateful night in the UAE.
Speaking to ESPN UK ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the British driver said, “Ultimately that feeling never really truly leaves you.” Referring to the loss as a “scar“, the 38-year-old said it will always remain with him for the rest of his life.
Despite trying to re-programme it, the Briton found it hard to get go. Furthermore, it took a whole season for him to get the heartbreak out of his mind, asserted Hamilton.
Valtteri Bottas also reflected on the harsh night
The former Mercedes driver shared his experience on the fateful night in Abu Dhabi as well. Speaking about it in F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, Bottas said that the whole team was drastically down following the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi GP race.
The Alfa Romeo star, who had a headache the next day, further revealed that nobody could believe what happened in the last lap, as both Hamilton and Wolff were down and the whole team was suffering.
Bottas continued to share that losing the race and subsequently the championship in the very last lap took a huge toll on everyone. Moreover, it took quite some time for everyone to get over the pain and disappointment they suffered on the cold night of December.
