Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff dismisses the theory that Lewis Hamilton is “not driving as fast” because of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi 2021 finale as nonsense.
Hamilton went into the final race of the 2021 F1 season level on points with Max Verstappen going into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The seven-time Champion was leading heading into the latter stages of the race before a Safety Car, caused by the Williams Nicholas Latifi, brought Verstappen back into play.
The Dutchman pitted onto fresher tyres and overtook his rival on the last lap for his maiden title in F1.
Wolff angrily smashed his headphones when ex-F1 race director Michael Masi decided to resume the race with a lap to go and not allow all the lapped cars to overtake.
Three years later, and with no eighth world title, Hamilton has pledged his bets on Ferrari in 2025 after another difficult campaign with the Silver Arrows.
However, Wolff insists that the ending of the Abu Dhabi fiasco did not affect Hamilton’s ability or have an impact on the British driver’s overall pace.
“The ending of 2021 is something that’s going to be with us forever when it comes to our professional lives,“ he said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.
“But, I don’t think that the ending of ’21 had any whatsoever correlation to not driving as fast anymore, or any of that.”
Instead, Wolff believes Hamilton made improvements from that point on.
“Overall, as a human being, professional and outside of the car, he’s getting more complete every time,” he added.
Wolff reflects on Hamilton’s ‘best’ victory at the 2021 Brazil GP
The 2024 season has been full of many lows and highs for the 39-year-old – the darkest moments coming at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the Qatar Grand Prix.
Whilst there will be many troubling memories he’ll want to forget from the 2024 season, there have been a few bright glimpses of hope.
Especially, Hamilton’s record-breaking ninth victory at the British Grand Prix – surpassing Michael Schumacher for the most wins at one Grand Prix circuit.
It was also his first victory in the sport since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021.
The victory in Jeddah was part of a three-race win streak that saw Hamilton fight back to take the title challenge to Abu Dhabi.
It was certainly Hamilton at his best and it all started with his comeback to beat Verstappen at the 2021 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Speaking of the victory, Wolff said: “So, Brazil ’21 was great, yeah.
“Because we got disqualified for the Sprint Race, and it was really nothing, and that was just not right.
“And I think what it triggered is such a momentum in the team of ‘now we show them’, and that’s what happened.
“We knew we need to win every single race to win the championship and he climbed back in the Sprint in a great way, and then in the race itself, albeit all the defence, clean and less clean, he won the race.
“That was the best.”
READ MORE: Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton could’ve fought for Abu Dhabi F1 win without Q1 exit
