Wolff leads calls to "move on" from 'fierce, brutal and damaging' 2021

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has called for F1 to "move on" from last year's Abu Dhabi controversy after deeming the topic "really damaging" for the sport's stakeholders.

F1 pre-season testing for the 2022 season may be underway at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, but there remains a hangover from last year that refuses to shift.

The FIA recently implemented promised actions to remedy the issues that arose with Michael Masi removed from his role as race director to be replaced by Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, with Herbie Blash assisting as the permanent senior advisor.

Presenting a united front with his Red Bull opposite number, Christian Horner, Wolff said: "I agree with Christian that we need to move on.

"There has been so much talk about Abu Dhabi that it came to a point that it is really damaging for all of us stakeholders of Formula 1 and we have closed the chapter and moved on.

“Now it is about 2022. The game is on again, all points are [reset] to zero and [there are] new opportunities and new risks.”

Last year's title fight appeared at times to be fought just as much off the track as on it, with Wolff and Horner every bit as ruthless on the pit wall as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were in the cockpit.

Asked if there would always be this "rivalry and needle" between the two teams, Wolff explained: “It’s too be expected.

"It got fierce at times and brutal but there is a lot at stake. It is the Formula 1 World Championship and there is the fighting on track and the fighting off track for advantages so that is ok."

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