Wolff - Abu Dhabi 'impossible to forget' for Mercedes

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has claimed it is "not possible" for the Silver Arrows to "forget" the controversial events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Following an inquiry into the events of last year's F1 championship-deciding race, the FIA has confirmed a number of changes including replacing race director Michael Masi with Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich.

The pair will be backed up by Herbie Blash, the former assistant race director to Charlie Whiting returning as a permanent senior advisor.

Regulatory changes have also been made with revisions made to the procedures surrounding the withdrawal of the safety car.

Speaking to media including GPFans at the launch of the W13, Wolff said: "I think it's in the past and with the measures that have been announced by [FIA president] Mohammed [Ben Sulayem], we need to put it aside.

"We are not going to forget it, that's simply not possible but we need to look into 2022, and especially today, launching the car, this should be the moment, with the steps that have been taken by the FIA, embark with encouragement on the season."

Asked for a response to those who feel the Yas Marina race was "fixed", Wolff stated: "Nothing was fixed. I think it was circumstances and decisions that were unprecedented.

"How they came about was a shock. Three laps from the end we got a message that lapped cars were not allowed to unlap themselves and three minutes later, four minutes later, suddenly there were two messages that came out of nowhere.

"Now obviously we know what happened in the background, unknown to us, and then a championship was gone within literally half-a-minute of decision making. That was unprecedented.

"But also we have to move on from that."

Related

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Hamilton details Mercedes split as team release announced

• November 15, 2024 16:09

Latest F1 News

MAJOR Mercedes change announced in official statement

• November 12, 2024 17:55