Toto Wolff accepts responsibility having ‘overstepped’ the mark with Michael Masi talks

Mercedes: Toto Wolff says pressure grows EVERY YEAR

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Toto Wolff believes he overstepped the mark with FIA’s Michael Masi. Both the Austrian and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner exchanged barbs throughout a hectic and intense Formula 1 season, with the race director often caught in the middle.

The 2021 season saw F1 broadcast conversations between the FIA and the various teams during the races for the world to see.

This happened several times due to the number of incidents that took place throughout the campaign.

During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wolff yelled “this is not right” following Masi’s controversial decision which denied Lewis Hamilton a record eighth world title following pressure from Horner on the radio.

“I need to take myself by the nose, and Christian,” Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.com.

“We were giving us the opportunity to talk to the Race Director directly and because we fight so fiercely for the interest of our teams, we – all of us – overstepped [the mark].

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“This 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. So we need to come back.”

As a result, the Mercedes CEO agrees with managing director Ross Brawn’s decision to ban teams from talking to the FIA during a Grand Prix.

“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,” said Wolff.

“There is so much going on on the intercom that gives fans a little bit of an overview of all the little dramas that happen. Is the car breaking down? Are we having some kind of strategy discussions?

“It was meant well, but I think we overshot.”

During the dramatic and controversial Abu Dhabi GP,  the Australian had initially instructed that lapped cars could not overtake the safety vehicle until it left the track at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, meaning there would not have been time for Max Verstappen to close in on his rival.

Under pressure from Red Bull boss Christian Horner, Masi then changed his mind, allowing the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves before ordering the safety car off the track.

Therefore, the Dutchman could get on the British driver’s tail before overtaking him in a one-lap shootout, benefiting from driving on fresh tyres, while Hamilton was left to defend on hard compound tyres over 40 laps old.

Wolff was furious with the decision and admitted he has ‘no interest’ in speaking with Masi after Hamilton lost out on a record-breaking eighth world title.

“I am not interested in having a conversation with Michael Masi,” the Austrian explained.

“The decisions that have been taken in the last four minutes of this race have dropped Lewis Hamilton from a deserved world championship. His driving, particularly in the last four races, was faultless.

“He had a commanding lead on Sunday in Abu Dhabi from the get-go. He won the start, and he never gave the lead away again. Robbing him in the last lap of the race is unacceptable.”

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