Wolff still thinks about 2021 Abu Dhabi GP "every day" – Motorsport.com

At last year’s F1 season finale, Lewis Hamilton had looked set to grab his eighth world championship title after dominating most of the Yas Marina race.
However, things were turned on their head when a late safety car was triggered after Nicholas Latifi crashed his Williams.
During the restart, then F1 race director Michael Masi did not follow the correct procedures, selectively allowing only a few backmarkers to unlap themselves and then restarting the race a lap earlier than it should have according to the regulations.
That allowed Max Verstappen, who had pitted for fresh tyres, one final lap to overtake Hamilton and secure the win that captured him his maiden world title.
Mercedes initially protested the result and looked set to take the matter to the court of appeal, before eventually backing down in the interests of the sport.
The FIA launched a full investigation into what happened, and Masi was moved aside as part of an overhaul of the way F1’s race control was run.
Wolff has admitted that he finds it hard to forget what happened.
Asked by Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview if he still reflected on what happened in Abu Dhabi, Wolff said: “I think about it every day. But I have my peace with Max winning the championship, because he’s a deserving champion.
“How it panned out, I think I have values around fairness, and especially sporting fairness. This is what provides my fundamental love for the sport. And then that was kicked with the feet on that particular day.”
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes AMG
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Although many questions remain about what really happened in race control that day, especially with it emerging recently that Masi signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to never talk about it, the FIA has attempted to draw a line under the events.
But there have been ongoing questions this year about the consistency of the new race control structure, as well as the approach and attitude of new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Reflecting on the job that Ben Sulayem has done so far, Wolff said that some difficulties were inevitable considering the change of approach that he was looking to bring.
“I think Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the way he’s hiring and recruiting, shows for me direction,” he said.
“Every personality has his edges. And I think the primary objective of being transparent, providing good governance and a good framework is what I see happening.
“Are there going to be bumps on the road because Mohammed’s organisation needs to fall in place and everybody needs to find their roles? Yeah, for sure. But I’m happy with how’s it going.
“They are open minded. They’re not opinionated. For me, transparent, honest and have integrity.”
Alpine has “absolutely no worries” of trouble with Alonso during 2022
Vettel: F1 should reinvest profits into race promoters to have greener events
Dutch GP chiefs vow zero tolerance approach to flares for F1 race day
Mercedes’ £6 million F1 energy bill prompts solar farm plan
Why Verstappen’s absolute F1 domination is no turn-off
Live F1: Follow the Dutch GP as it happens
Follow along for all Formula 1 updates on Sunday for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Dutch GP chiefs vow zero tolerance approach to flares for F1 race day
Dutch Grand Prix organisers have vowed to take a zero-tolerance approach to flares, after the problems that marred Formula 1 qualifying on Saturday.
Mercedes’ £6 million F1 energy bill prompts solar farm plan
Mercedes is planning to invest in a solar farm to help deliver electricity to its Formula 1 factory, amid the ongoing energy price crisis in the United Kingdom.
Why Hollywood’s latest motorsport foray faces familiar stumbling blocks 
The proposed F1 movie may have Lewis Hamilton as a co-producer but, as MATT KEW points out, the problems it faces have been around for years
Why Hollywood’s latest motorsport foray faces familiar stumbling blocks 
The proposed F1 movie may have Lewis Hamilton as a co-producer but, as MATT KEW points out, the problems it faces have been around for years
The data loss that clouds Zandvoort’s true leading picture
After a flawless Belgian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Red Bull were given a tougher time on the opening day at Zandvoort due to a gearbox problem and set-up worries. But as a data dropout partially hides the full story, the world championship leaders remain an ever-present threat able to strike at the Dutch GP…
Why Verstappen’s absolute F1 domination is no turn-off
OPINION: With Verstappen dominating the Formula 1 world championship battle, few are in doubt about where this year’s trophy is going. But that “absolute purple patch” is something fans should relish watching, not be dissuaded by
The scale of the challenge facing Audi’s F1 assault
OPINION: Audi’s arrival in Formula 1 for 2026 was confirmed on the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix. It marks the series’ first new manufacturer of the hybrid era since Honda’s difficult return with McLaren in 2015. The might of Audi will surely make it a force in F1 in time, but the scale of the task ahead of it is massive
The myth and merit in Alonso’s Hamilton F1 racing claim at Spa
OPINION: Fernando Alonso was typically forthright in his immediate view of Lewis Hamilton’s driving in their crash at the start of the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix. But away from the spotlight pressure and team radio adrenaline, it’s worth assessing the accuracy of his claims in the context of Formula 1’s changing eras
Belgian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Formula 1 roared back into action after the summer break at the Belgian Grand Prix, where the grid was shaken up by engine penalties which created different opportunities for drivers to shine. While the sole top score can probably be predicted, there were plenty of other high marks at Spa
How Verstappen scored the best win of his F1 career at Spa
Nothing could deny Max Verstappen’s Spa surge as he charged to a ninth Formula 1 win of the season, while yet more bad luck and questionable calls mired Charles Leclerc. Here’s how the Red Bull driver dominated the Belgian Grand Prix.
The traditionalist F1 venue stuck in a philosophical row 
With the future of Spa as a grand prix venue in doubt, Ben Edwards admits not everyone will be disappointed if it is dropped from the calendar

source