The fall out from Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton’s reaction to losing the 2021 F1 driver’s title has been of jaw dropping proportions. Having refused to give interviews for days after the final race in Abu Dhabi, finally Wolff gave a petulant and stubborn interview to the BBC.
The strident Austrian team leader of the German Formula 1 brand revealed, what in fact was by then common knowledge, that Mercedes AMG F1 would not be taking the FIA to court over race decisions made by their director Michael Masi.
Given the FIA are the regulator of the global sport that is F1 and it is the FIA who decide which team’s are allowed entry into the competition, then surely dragging them through the courts with legal action over a sporting judgement call really isn’t the smartest decision even a half wit would make?
Clearly, outside the cauldron of the emotion that is Toto and Lewis Hamilton’s world, the big bosses in Stuttgart realised that Toto’s threat to sue the FIA in support of ‘his guy’ would make them a laughing stock and damage the brand they have spent billions to develop in F1.
Hence Toto’s threatened legal action never saw quill take to parchment and Toto’s mate – the silk who stormed the stewards office in Abu Dhabi – was summarily dismissed.
Maybe it was in response to having the legal Persian rug pulled from beneath his feet by Stuttgart that Toto declared he and Sir Loo would not be attending the FIA end os season gala. This is not merely an F1 occasion, but for FIA global motorsport, where F1 is just part of the celebration of the year’s huge variety of events.
Besides appearing childish, this attitude of petty defiance from the Austrian F1 boss completely undermined the post race attitude many noted of Hamilton, which was gracious in defeat.
Further, Wolff threatened the FIA that Mercedes – and by implication the Daimler Benz automotive company – would quit F1 unless certain demands were met. Further Toto hinted that in addition, Hamilton may retire from the sport.
The great and good of motor sport were at the gala last evening, James Allison collected the constructor’s trophy and the award for the driver coming second was omitted, as though Hamilton never existed.
The reality of is despite the absence of Toto and Lewis, the world continued to turn.
Ironically, it is compulsory for the drivers finishing P1-3 in the seasons final tally of points attends the gala. So clearly, Hamilton’s answer to the apparent breach of the FIA’s own sporting rules by their Race Director, is to justify this with a different breach of the FIA’s regulations.
Two wrongs must make it all right.
Hamilton faces sanction for his non-appearance. Further outgoing FIA president Jean Todd noted of Wolff’s absence, the Mercedes F1 figure head, that in a sense, that Mercedes [Daimler Benz] deserved “much more reward” and recognition for their team’s historic 8th consecutive F1 constructor’s title.
Bernie Ecclestone, the creator of modern day F1, was shocked by the absence of Toto and Lewis. “I been very surprised by their attitude. Obviously people who lose in competition can’t be as happy as the winners. But there is always a [proper] way to react.”
Bernie added he thought that the parent company of MercedesAMGF1 need to clarify their position. “I think maybe Mercedes…. Daimler, should make their position clear”, one way or another. Even if Stuttgart supports the questionable behaviour of their brand representatives Toto and Lewis.
Ecclestone suggested a sop from the German automotive bosses such as, “Terribly sorry, we obviously still support the Formula 1 team”. Bernie dismissively added, “But in the end, Daimler… they really…. Are no more than a big sponsor”.
Daimler and those in high office in Stuttgart are not inexperienced when facing criticism and controversy; and they will respond. Whether they publicly support or condemn the behaviour of their representatives in F1 is questionable. However, there will be action and in time their feelings will be evidently crystal clear one way or another.
Bernie should keep his opinion to himself and pay his taxes
Agreed!!!!
Very Well Said Thank You,Bernie is A Racist Twit
Who writes this sh#t?
Let’s not forget that this entire debacle is FIA’s creation. Whether Micheal Masi actually thought his last lap, selective application of FIA’s rules was actually a race. (He did lecture Toto over the radio proclaiming it was) or like some are insinuating it was reprisal for Hamiltons previous criticism or like others believe it was a way of ending Hamiltons and Mercedes domination. What ever you think the reason is. It is FIA that owes Hamilton, the Mercedes Team and the fans a sincere apology.
Please FIA, get down off your high horse, stop your ridiculous igdination on any snub Hamilton or Toto have done, replace Masi, fix the problems with your passing rules, yellow red flags and end of race issues.
Again FIA clean up your own house before you lecture others on following rules.
A possibly former F1 fan, it all depends on FIA.
Richard Hooper
You will be. ( lightly) missed.
I regret entering into this ridiculous one eyed nonsense.
Very Well Said Richard Thank You, The FIA are making a mountain out of a molehill and not admitting that their guy Masi messed up the race to give Spice Boy Horner at Red Bull and Mad Max a win because they did not want Sir Lewis to get the 8th Title beating Michael Schumacher’s record and so did That Twit Bernie Ecclestone.The new FIA boss comes from a country where punishment and behading is the norm – what a dumb choice!! F1 will lose a lot of viewers if Sir Lewis quits.
You have no idea “the judge”, there are rules to follow that have been blurred by the new appointment, the manner in which it was decided is not in the real interest of the sport but for the bussines.unless like me and others here you have earned your living in this environment you won’t ever understand what it is to be a part of a racing life and more so a championship battle where weeks are spent away from wives partners and children where marriages are sacrificed in the name of whats in your blood.And for moronic attitudes of a certain few to destroy this commitment is a disgrace, its not just the corporations and the drivers its the people that change the wheels too.avsolutly robbed of their endeavour!
Who can blame them when it appears that the last lap was engineered to let max win, apparently counter to existing rules.
The Judge my a.se…nothing but clickbait trash
I guess it was too time consuming to write his name in full that you called him Loo. He was cheated and everyone expected him to keep smiling and shaking hands.
It never ceases to amaze me how foolish punk heads cannot see that Lewis was cheated. Max had zero chance in hell to win the 2021 WDC, except the covertly Biased FIA help him….. Maybe not so covertly now….
We have a while to wait before the biographies of Dickhead Horner & Reckless max comes out and they admit to the bitter hollow and manipulated “so called engineered victory”. It always does.
Have we not seen Michael cheat??????
And now……
I am just angry about blatant INJUSTICE!!!!!!!
Any sports governing body that gave two shits about their credibility would have immediately addressed The shambolic disgrace of the sport that happened last Sunday and immediately addressed the situation. How extremely unethical and damaging to the sport that was as undeniable and it’s shocking. The zombies and oblivious old boys, wandering through the situation like dinosaurs who don’t realize they’re already extinct are destroying this sport when it should just be reaching It’s highest popularity.
Well said. Commenting on that crap of an article and quoting Bernie who is still angry Hamilton dare try to surpass MS is further support of the corrupt minds that created that shambolic decision.
In any other situation, the corruption would be penalized. Commentators choose to leave out the conversation between Masi and Horner just before the change.
It’s surprising that you are more concerned about lewls and toto boycotting the gala than the actions of Michael Masi and the wider implications for the sport. The integrity of the sport is more important than excitement. Rules are made to ensure fairness not for race directors to decide who will win the race or championship