BREAKING NEWS: Toto Wolff Reflects on Controversial '21 Abu Dh

Wolff Reflects on Controversial ’21 Abu Dhabi GP: ‘There Are Worse Things Than Losing a Championship’

As the 2024 Formula 1 season draws to a close, Lewis Hamilton’s historic tenure with Mercedes also reaches its final chapter. Hamilton’s time with the team has been filled with numerous victories, records, and challenges, but one of the most difficult moments in his career remains the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he lost the World Championship to Max Verstappen in dramatic fashion on the very last lap.

Hamilton has been no stranger to having world titles decided in the final moments of a race. The 2021 incident was the second time he faced such a high-stakes situation, the first being in 2008 when he clinched his first world title in Brazil by overtaking Timo Glock in the final corners. However, while the 2008 race ended in triumph, the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP left a bitter taste for Hamilton, Mercedes, and many Formula 1 fans alike. To this day, it remains one of the sport’s most controversial races, with ongoing debates about the decisions made by race control.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently reflected on the events of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP and Hamilton’s legacy in the sport. Wolff acknowledged the lasting emotions tied to that race but emphasized that, in the grand scheme of things, losing a world title is not the worst fate.

“You have to look at it from a more detached perspective,” Wolff explained. “Lewis is the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. He has broken nearly every record in the sport, and the only one where he’s tied is in World Championships, where he is level with Michael Schumacher. It’s hard to say who is the greatest, but if anyone is, it’s either Michael or Lewis.”

Wolff didn’t shy away from criticizing how the 2021 season finale unfolded, where a controversial safety car decision led to Verstappen overtaking Hamilton on the final lap, snatching the championship from his grasp. “Would I have wanted it to go the other way? Absolutely. Do I think what happened in 2021 was anywhere near fair? No, it wasn’t,” Wolff stated firmly. “But we can’t turn back time, and there are worse things in life than losing a race or even a World Championship.”

For Hamilton, the years that followed the 2021 loss were marked by frustration and a struggle to reclaim his dominant form. After an impressive streak of winning at least one race every season since his debut in 2007, he went winless throughout the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. The setbacks fueled speculation about Hamilton’s future in the sport and whether his best days were behind him.

However, 2024 has seen a rejuvenated Hamilton. He secured his first victory since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP at this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a track where he has always excelled. His return to the top step of the podium was a significant milestone, signaling that he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level. Hamilton followed up his Silverstone success with another win at Spa-Francorchamps, placing him among the four drivers with multiple Grand Prix victories this season.

As Hamilton prepares to say goodbye to Mercedes, his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats is unquestionable. With seven world titles to his name, he stands tied with Schumacher for the most championships in Formula 1 history, and his remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the sport. While the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP may remain a painful memory for both Hamilton and Mercedes, it is just one chapter in a storied career filled with triumphs, records, and iconic moments.

For Wolff, despite the heartbreak of 2021, the bigger picture is clear: “In the end, we’re fortunate to do what we love. Lewis is the greatest driver, and his legacy is secure regardless of one race or one title. There’s always more drama in the world.”