Wolff and Horner urge me to intervene in Abu Dhabi 2021 – Racing Week

Former FIA president Jean Todt has revealed he was contacted by both Toto Wolff and Christian Horner amid the drama in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

The title showdown between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton ended in contentious circumstances.

The late safety car saw then race director Michael Massey only ordering the car between Hamilton and Verstappen to clear itself before the race restarted on the final lap.

Verstappen passed Hamilton on new tires to claim his first title, denying Hamilton a record-breaking eighth title.

Todt was the outgoing FIA president at the time, his term coming to an end shortly after the Abu Dhabi race.

“I didn’t do anything, it’s not the job of the FIA ​​president,” Todt told evening post.

“The referee must be autonomous. Have you ever heard [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino said ‘here’s a penalty and here’s not’.

“In the documentary [‘The Method’ on French TV] You can see me watching that game at the country house with the crew.

“Horner and Wolff called me and I said: ‘I can’t interfere, that’s the responsibility of the race stewards and the race director.'”

Massey stepped down as race director ahead of the start of the 2022 season and then left the FIA ​​entirely last year.

However, he is Back in the paddocks in Melbourne last weekendhis first F1 Grand Prix appearance since the Abu Dhabi controversy.

Neils Wittich is currently the race director, while Mohammed Ben Sulayem fills the vacancy at the helm of the FIA ​​left by Todt.