Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff snub FIA bash where Verstappen will take F1 trophy

12/17/2021

Both Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff will snub the annual FIA prize-giving gala as the fallout from Sunday's explosive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix rages on.

Max Verstappen will be officially presented with the world championship trophy in Paris, with Mercedes also due to be given their Constructors' silverware.

Hamilton was denied a record-breaking eighth title win in controversial circumstances at the Yas Marina, which left Wolff, as well as host of F1 pundits and fans, fuming at what they felt was a manufactured outcome.

The British driver was in control of the race in the closing stages when a crash from Williams driver Nicholas Latifi sparked a dramatic series of events – which saw FIA race director Michael Masi alter his original instructions over the safety car procedure – and culminated in Verstappen overtaking Hamilton in a final lap shootout.

A subsequent Mercedes protest was dismissed, and although they immediately served a notice of intent to appeal, the team released a statement on Thursday morning confirming they would not pursue that option.

However, Wolff, Team Principal and CEO at the 'Silver Arrows', is clearly still resentful at the manner of which things panned out, and shortly after the statement was released spoke out in a virtual press conference.

"Both of us [Wolff and Lewis Hamilton] won't be there," he declared.

"I won't be there because of my loyalty to Lewis and because of my own personal integrity."

He did though, confirm the team would have a representative there to pick up the silverware.

'We will be represented as a team by James Allison, who will be taking the trophy on behalf of all the people in Brackley and Brixworth who should celebrate our eighth consecutive world championship title, who deserve to be celebrated, because it's a fantastic achievement that we are very proud of."

Hamilton is yet to speak publicly on the drama, but Wolff said that the British driver was "disillusioned" by the outcome and even hinted he could retire from the sport as a result.

A potentially shuddering irony for the 36-year-old is that his absence from the gala may yet land him in hot water with officials – as it technically represents a rule breach.

Under FIA regulations, it is compulsory for the top three championship finishers to attend each season.

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