Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

F1 must learn from FIA "confusion" - Wolff

Sam Hall & Ewan Gale Wednesday 8 December 2021 09:15

Toto Wolff has offered his support to FIA race director Michael Masi in the wake of criticism for his handling of a tempestuous Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but insisted F1 must learn from the ensuing "confusion".

In a race that never settled from the get-go, there were numerous incidents between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, from corner-cutting and gaining an advantage to driving unnecessarily slowly under safety car conditions and then a bizarre collision between the two F1 title rivals.

There was also confusion during a red flag period as Masi and Red Bull seemingly dealt over the positioning of Verstappen for the first restart, having gained a place off-track.

Christian Horner suggested post-race that "it felt like today the sport missed [former race director] Charlie Whiting," but Wolff instead backed the Australian.

“I think we had confusion," said Wolff.

"I would have wished that the red flag wouldn’t have been taken at the beginning of the race.

"It is where I thought that we had lost the race and that clearly was also a judgemental call when some of the advertising on a barrier is ripped off that you stop the race. But it is what it is.

“There was so much on, so many things to judge and I wouldn’t want to be in either Michael’s seat nor the stewards’ seats today because you are always looking stupid if you make a mistake and if there are 100 decisions to make, there may be some that are wrong or controversial.

“I think we just need to learn from that.”

Latest News

F1 News & Gossip

Hamilton’s STAR-STUDDED Christmas celebrations recalled in girlfriend anecdote

Yesterday 22:56

Lando Norris

Norris RETURNS F1 rival’s secret Santa gift

Yesterday 18:58

F1 Superstars

Hamilton SNUBBED by F1 rivals in crushing Verstappen defeat

Yesterday 14:59

Christmas Feature

F1 2024 stars reimagined as ICONIC Christmas movie characters

Yesterday 10:57

F1 Off The Track

F1 star teases driver replacement in 2025 reveal

December 24, 2024 22:58

F1 News & Gossip

Horner declares Hamilton relationship ‘STALE’ following split

December 24, 2024 18:58

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

F1 must learn from FIA "confusion" - Wolff

F1 must learn from FIA "confusion" - Wolff