P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has suggested that along with divisive geo-political subjects like President Trump and Brexit, families sought to avoid discussing the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the wake of the contentious F1 season finale that year.
Toto Wolff compared the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to significant political events like Donald Trump’s presidency in the U.S. and the U.K.’s Brexit decision. He pointed out the boost the F1 series received from the controversial race, further fueled by Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The season’s intense rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull, featuring Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, drew in new fans and intensified the existing fan base.
Although Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari, Verstappen’s continued success in winning multiple F1 titles post-2021 highlighted the momentum gained from the divisive season. While recognizing the benefits the championship brought to F1, Wolff also acknowledged the season’s polarizing and divisive effects within the F1 community and online fan bases. Wolff likened the impact of the 2021 F1 season to the divisive nature of political events, such as Donald Trump’s presidency and Brexit, making them taboo topics even during family gatherings like Christmas.
Reflecting on the season on the Armchair Experts with Dax Shepard podcast, Wolff emphasized the dramatic and controversial nature of the events. The tense atmosphere around the 2021 F1 season was impactful, akin to avoiding discussions about Trump, Brexit, and Abu Dhabi 2021 during holiday gatherings.
