Wolff involved in radio altercation with FIA race director after dramatic F1 finale
The Mercedes boss told Michael Masi that the decisions made at the end of the race 'weren't right'
Toto Wolff was involved in a heated exchange with FIA race control as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix reached its dramatic conclusion.
With five laps remaining Nicholas Latifi spun into the barrier, prompting a full safety car when Hamilton appeared on the cusp of world championship success.
When the safety car was announced, Wolff had stated to FIA Race Director Michael Masi; "Michael, please no safety car, it interferes with the race."
But the safety car was deployed, and officials worked hard to remove Latifi's car from the circuit to allow a restart before the 58 laps were completed.
The FIA then initially announced that lapped cars would not be allowed to overtake the safety car before the race restarted, a call that was quickly reversed and put the title rivals in line for a last-lap shootout for the title.
In a heated exchange, Wolff told Masi: "It was so not right. We need to go back to the lap before."
FIA Race Director Masi replied to Wolff to say simply "Toto, it's called a motor race, okay? We went car racing."
And on the final lap, Verstappen duly edged past Hamilton to gain the lead in the race and the championship in one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of Formula 1.
Mercedes has launched two official protests with regard to the restart with the team making no further comment until the hearing has been conducted.
Related
More F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Latest F1 News
Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff announces 2027 driver lineup as Max Verstappen future confirmed
Austrian Grand Prix
F1 2026 Austrian Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied
Austrian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen gives George Russell the middle finger at Austrian Grand Prix
Austrian Grand Prix
Toto Wolff explains why George Russell pole position stood at Austrian Grand Prix
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page