Toto Wolff slams Christian Horner for blanking Mercedes in their darkest…read more
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has once again taken aim at Christian Horner, the leader of Red Bull Racing, over what he considers unsportsmanlike behavior during the tense and controversial 2021 Formula 1 season finale. Wolff’s criticism centers on the aftermath of the dramatic title decider in Abu Dhabi, where Max Verstappen secured his first World Championship by overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap after a contentious decision by FIA race director Michael Masi.
The 2021 season had been a thrilling and closely contested battle between Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, and Verstappen, the rising star from Red Bull. As the season neared its conclusion, both drivers were neck-and-neck in the championship standings, with everything to play for in the final race at the Yas Marina Circuit. However, what transpired in the final laps of the race became one of the most talked-about moments in recent F1 history.
A controversial decision by Masi to restart the race after a late-race safety car period allowed Verstappen to close the gap to Hamilton, despite several lapped cars remaining between the two. The race’s restart led to Verstappen and Hamilton battling it out on the final lap, with the Dutchman eventually passing his rival to clinch the title. The decision to allow only some of the lapped cars to un-lap themselves was widely criticized, and it sparked an ongoing debate about the fairness and consistency of the FIA’s race management.
Despite the controversy, Verstappen’s victory was final, and he was crowned World Champion for the first time in his career. His triumph was met with celebrations at Red Bull Racing, but the fallout from the race lingered long after the checkered flag. Wolff, who had been visibly upset by the events of the race, took issue not only with the decisions made by the FIA but also with how Horner handled the situation.
Wolff has now revisited the aftermath, criticizing Horner for his attitude during one of Mercedes’ darkest moments. According to Wolff, Horner, in his capacity as Red Bull team principal, could have shown more empathy and sportsmanship after such a contentious season finale. Wolff believes that Horner’s refusal to acknowledge Mercedes’ plight in the wake of the dramatic conclusion to the title fight was a missed opportunity to display respect for the competitive spirit of Formula 1.
The relationship between Wolff and Horner has been tense for some time, with both men frequently exchanging barbed comments throughout the 2021 season. The fierce rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull was evident not only on track but also in the paddock, where both teams and their leaders engaged in a war of words, often over perceived missteps or perceived favoritism from the governing body, the FIA. Horner and Wolff’s rivalry reached its zenith during the Abu Dhabi race, where both teams lobbied the FIA for different outcomes, further straining their already strained relationship.
In the aftermath of the 2021 season, Wolff has continued to reflect on the events that transpired, and he has suggested that Horner could have taken the high road in his victory celebrations. He believes that showing grace under pressure and acknowledging the difficult circumstances surrounding the race would have been more appropriate, rather than fueling the animosity that already existed between their two teams.
Verstappen, meanwhile, went on to dominate Formula 1 in the subsequent seasons, adding three more championships to his tally in 2022, 2023, and 2024. While Red Bull’s success has continued, Wolff’s frustrations with the events of 2021 remain clear, and it seems unlikely that the animosity between him and Horner will dissipate anytime soon.
The rivalry between Wolff and Horner remains one of the most compelling aspects of modern Formula 1, and it shows no signs of cooling as both teams continue to battle at the sharp end of the grid. Despite their differences, both leaders are undeniably talented and have played a key role in shaping the landscape of F1 in recent years.
