The information came to us through an official communication from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) with the names of the participants in the press conference that annually precedes the organization’s gala event, at which all awards received during another season of auto-competition are distributed, in particular during a match reserved for Formula -1: in the list next to the names of Max Verstappen, champion of the season, and Valtteri Bottas, 3rd in the world championship and already in Alfa Romeo-Ferrari, there was only confirmation. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s number one, highlighting the absence of Toto Wolf, director of Mercedes, the team that won the 8th consecutive manufacturer’s title, and Lewis Hamilton, the driver who finished in 2nd in the championship.
Official confirmation shortly thereafter. For reasons that were not explained, but which we could easily foresee, knowing about the disagreements associated with the end of the race that determined the world titles in 2021, at Yas Marina, the team director and pilot will not participate in the Gala of Champions that will take place tonight in Paris, France. , with a very limited number of guests, unlike the usual, due to the restrictive measures imposed by Covid-19. However, it is now known that Hamilton was actively involved in Mercedes’ decision not to file a complaint about incidents in Abu Dhabi, especially the controversial decision of Race Director Michael Masi regarding the use of a safety car.
Mercedes withdrew the complaint, not wanting to win races or “secretary” titles that would tarnish the team and brand image, but Hamilton intervened directly, urging the team to drop the complaint. The incident, which the FIA reported yesterday, intends to conduct a thorough investigation in order to prevent a similar situation in the future. Tonight in Paris, the World Builders’ Champions represented by CTO James Ellison.
Reacting to the news, Wolf explained the reasons for his absence: “I have to defend my integrity and I am loyal to Lewis, but James will represent us in order to receive the trophies that we have won, which all team members who work in pride are proud of. Brackley and Brixworth, ”said the boss of the eight champions. But, even more controversial: according to the sports regulations, in article 6.6, the first three classified in the championship are required to participate in the ceremony.
Mercedes and Hamilton also missed a team photo of the 2021 FIA champions, with the Germans’ decision extended to the Formula E team that won the 7th season in the category first with World Cup status. However, Nyck de Vries, the Dutch driver who replaced the Portuguese on the list of winners of the electric single-seater championship, has confirmed his participation in the gala, despite being signed to the star’s brand, which was also featured in the race. The test that ended the season in Formula 1, signing even the fastest lap of the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
