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Toto Wolff calls out Red Bull’s ‘entitlement’ over 2021 F1 title battle

Publisher by Publisher
January 7, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Toto Wolff calls out Red Bull’s ‘entitlement’ over 2021 F1 title battle

Oct 20, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Torger Christian Toto Wolff Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 walks through the track entrance before the 2024 Formula One US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has reignited controversy over the dramatic 2021 Formula 1 championship finale, accusing Red Bull of showing “entitlement” and failing to acknowledge the anguish endured by Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton’s defeat to Max Verstappen.

The 2021 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi remains one of the sport’s most polarizing moments. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen entered the last race tied on points, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. In a dramatic conclusion, Verstappen capitalized on a late Safety Car restart and a critical tyre advantage to overtake Hamilton on the final lap, securing his first Drivers’ Championship.

Wolff slams Red Bull’s lack of sportsmanship

Reflecting on the events during an appearance on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast, Wolff criticized Red Bull, particularly Team Principal Christian Horner, for failing to acknowledge Mercedes’ heartbreak.

“I felt that the other side, and that’s not Max, but there was not one sentence saying: ‘that was a difficult day for Mercedes,’” Wolff said.

He added: “There was not one word from Christian Horner or the other team in acknowledging that, it was like entitlement.”

Wolff argued that had the roles been reversed, Mercedes would have extended a gesture of sportsmanship. “We would have said it,” he asserted.

A season for the ages

The 2021 season was a clash of titans, with Verstappen and Hamilton delivering one of the most thrilling rivalries in F1 history. Both drivers demonstrated exceptional skill, with Verstappen excelling in the season’s first half and Hamilton mounting a dominant charge in the latter stages.

“At the end [we had the faster car], not the first half of the year,” Wolff admitted. “I think Lewis was the stronger driver in the second half, Max was in the first half – and the same with the cars.”

Wolff went on to say that, given how closely matched both drivers were, they both deserved to be champions. “They should have both had the trophy, but on that day, in that race, the race was decided, and it fell the other way.”

From rivals to mutual respect

Since that contentious season, both Verstappen and Hamilton have moved past their intense rivalry and now share a mutual respect. Verstappen has since claimed three additional titles, joining Hamilton as one of the few drivers in F1 history with at least four championships.

The 2021 finale, however, left lasting scars on Mercedes, and Wolff’s comments highlight the emotional weight the team still carries.

Looking ahead: Hamilton vs. Verstappen, Part 2?

As Hamilton prepares to begin a new chapter at Ferrari in 2025, fans are eager to see if the two F1 legends will rekindle their rivalry. With Verstappen still leading Red Bull and Hamilton embarking on a fresh challenge at Ferrari, the stage could be set for another unforgettable title fight.

Regardless of what lies ahead, the legacy of the 2021 season continues to fuel debate and shape the narratives of modern Formula 1.

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