Toto Wolff has revealed further knowledge concerning the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that decided the Formula 1 world championship.
Both the drivers' title and constructors' championship were on the line at the final race of the season, with Wolff's Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton level on points with Red Bull's Max Verstappen heading into the showdown.
The race is now infamous for a unique call made under the safety car later admitted in an FIA inquiry as a mistake, which enabled Verstappen to pass lapped cars before overtaking Hamilton on the last lap with fresh tyres after the safety car was called in to win the race and the title.
The bitter end came on top of an already controversial season where tensions ran high between Mercedes and Red Bull.
However, despite this Wolff had always enjoyed a positive relationship with Verstappen, but he admits the events at Yas Marina had tested that relationship to the very limit, to the point he couldn't discuss the 2021 finale at Christmas time.
Hamilton was passed on the final lap by VerstappenMax Verstappen is now a four-time F1 world champion
To celebrate Verstappen’s fourth championship, click here to pre-order the official champion cap, as worn by the Red Bull driver following his championship-winning drive in Las Vegas.
Abu Dhabi 2021 on par with Brexit and Donald Trump
"It suffered in 2021 because it got a bit dirty on both sides. But what a year and it's part of the great success we have today. It was really dramatic. I remember on the Christmas table the topic nobody wanted to touch was Trump, Brexit and Abu Dhabi 21.”
Since then time has passed to the point where the relationship appears to have mended.
Rumours of a move to replace Ferrari bound Hamilton gathered pacebut were finally ended when Kimi Antonelli was confirmed to race for the team alongside George Russell this term.