Wolff reflects on notorious '21 Abu Dhabi GP: 'More drama in the world'
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Lewis Hamilton's time at Mercedes comes to an end this year. With many fond memories, the Briton does have a hard one with the Germans: the outcome of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. On the last lap, the Briton lost the championship to Max Verstappen. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has now reflected on that moment.
For the second time in his long Formula One career, a world championship title was decided on the last lap for Lewis Hamilton. While he was on the better side of the outcome 2008, he missed out in 2021. To this day, that Grand Prix is one of the most debated among fans.
Toto Wolff was also a protagonist, as it was decided that year that communications from Mercedes and Red Bull to the FIA will be broadcasted live, similarly to how team radios are frequently played. According to the Austrian, whether he has an eight title or not. "You have to look at it from a point more detached than we do. He is the greatest F1 driver of all time. He has beaten all the records and there is only this one, with championships, where he is equal with Michael Schumacher, another great - if not, with Lewis, the greatest," he told the BBC.
Moreover, Wolff believes that losing an F1 title is indeed not the biggest 'drama in the world'. "Would I have wanted it to go the other way? Absolutely. Do I think what happened in 2021 was anywhere near fair? No, it wasn't. But we can't turn back time and there are worse things than losing a race or a World Championship," he concluded.
After a more difficult period for the team and Hamilton himself, the Briton managed to cross the finish line first at Silverstone for the first time since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP, and he is now one of the four drivers who have won multiple Grands Prix in the 2024 season thanks to his win at Spa-Francorchamps.
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