A mug on sale at the inaugural F1 Exhibition in Madrid has sent the internet into a meltdown before the doors even opened.
A merchandise item emblazoned with the infamous 'No Michael No' quote from Toto Wolff during the 2021 season finale is available to buy at the showcase in Spain.
It references the team radio exchange between Wolff and former race director Michael Masi during the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in which Lewis Hamilton was overtaken by Max Verstappen on the final lap and thus lost out on a record-breaking eighth championship.
The mug has generated a lot of attention after the exhibition opened its doors on Thursday March 23 for a preview ahead of its official general opening day on Friday March 24.
Pictures of the item circulated online causing F1 Twitter and, particularly, Mercedes fans to react furiously.
When the mug was posted to social media, F1 fans soon chimed in with animated responses.
F1 shouls develop shame, how are you proudly selling stuff advertising your rigged sport? https://t.co/PlvmXiVEDV
— no⁴⁴ 🏳️🌈 | not race week thankfully (@worldchamp44) March 23, 2023
This sport is absolutely shameless. Bragging about their illegal moments and the worst are the assholes like this who find it funny https://t.co/uwg5pnrRdZ
The outrage was so vast and aggressive, #F1xed began trending once again on Twitter.
F1 shamelessly using one of the lowest and most controversial moments in its long history… as merch for commercial gain. Astonishing #F1xedhttps://t.co/uIfBP6aIOb