Toto Wolff’s Taunt Returns to Haunt Lewis Hamilton as F1 Controversially Opens Doors to Michael Masi’s Return

The wounds from 2021 always re-open in the Mercedes garage whenever the Abu Dhabi GP comes along. This year as well, the comments made by Toto Wolff showcased the team might be over the last lap “human error” loss, but they have not forgotten. He made it evident through a jab in the build-up to the race. However, this subtle jab from the Mercedes boss might come back to haunt him as the perpetrator is set for a return, much to the annoyance of Lewis Hamilton.

The Brit suffered the most heartbreaking end to a championship with a slight alteration of the rules by then-race director Michael Masi, which was all accredited to “human error.” The controversial call and championship-altering end led to Masi’s sacking from his role. However, FIA’s president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently made a statement that has re-opened the door for the disgruntled Australian’s return.

The current president took office a week after the 2021 Abu Dhabi debacle. So, in his recent interview discussing the debacle, Sulayem took no charge of the former race director’s actions. However, he put up a condition allowing Masi to return to the sport if needed. “I always apologize, but I cannot apologize for something which was done before my time,” he told the Press Association, as quoted by Mirror. “Okay, I will [make] the apology, but I will bring Michael Masi again. Do you think that is right?” 

However, after stating his case, the FIA President made a statement that raised eyebrows. He added, “The poor guy is a person who has been attacked and abused. Michael Masi went through hell. Hell! And if I see there is an opportunity that the FIA needs and Michael Masi is the right person, I will bring him.”

Read More: Michael Masi Played a Role In Max Verstappen’s Second Championship Mayhem As Well

The reappointment of Masi will surely send the entire world of F1 into a huge debate. In fact, this statement has come a few weeks after Toto Wolff took a subtle dig at him after the 2023 Las Vegas GP.

Toto Wolff’s dig comes back to bite Lewis Hamilton & Co.

Michael Masi caused the Mercedes camp a lot of heartache during the 2021 visit to the Yas Marina Circuit. He went against the rules and decided to let the only unlapped cars between Hamilton and Max Verstappen pass before restarting the race. Because of this, Hamilton was put at a massive disadvantage with old tires compared to Verstappen’s fresh set of softs on the last lap. We are all aware of the outcome which caused the chain reaction to Masi’s sacking. To date, tension is still thick enough between the two teams to cut with a knife, and Masi showcased it with his visit to the track.

In fact, the tensions flow on both sides as Wolff proved with his comments ahead of the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP while discussing the fight for P2 in the Constructor’s Championship. Taking a subtle dig at Masi, he said, “I think [Ferrari and Mercedes are] going there pretty much equal on points. With a proper race director. So that should be fine. And then let’s race. It’s all down to the last weekend. They are very quick and done a good job. I think we could have been on par today. But the result shows something different. So let’s race.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Helmut Marko blasts Lewis Hamilton for role in Michael Masi sacking

Just a few weeks after Wolff’s statement, the FIA president has given Masi a potential opening for a return. It will be interesting to see how the Mercedes camp reacts if and when Sulayem reinstates the Australian official.