Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is a favorite among F1 fans because of his reactions and responses. His memes are now legendary amongst the F1 fans community, with last year’s final day becoming the new favorite for all.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Abu Dhabi 2021 is stuff for the history books. No other race in recent times has generated as much controversy and debate. At the same time, it was the most thrilling race finish in recent memory.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The night at Yas Marina Circuit ended in tears and frustration for Mercedes, and in indescribable joy and jubilation for Red Bull. Both team bosses had completely opposite nights.
Memers made the most of the situation. Toto Wolff’s fury was gold for the creative minds on their phones. His outrage at the race director, Michael Masi, has since become one of the hottest F1 memes.
MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 crash during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Peter Van Egmond/Getty Images)
As Michael Masi allowed for the final lap to be a sprint between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, Toto was recorded throwing his headphones away in anger. He then reached out to Masi on the radio and said, “No Michael! No Michael, no! That wasn’t right!” in protest against the decision. Michael responded with a snarky, but true, “Toto, it’s called a motor race, okay? We want car racing.”
Undoubtedly the night was put under the surgical knife for a long time afterward too. Both sides made their comments on the situation, but the decision stayed in the end. Max Verstappen won his first championship as a result.
Over time temperatures cooled down. Mercedes’ disagreements with the decision have obviously remained, and the race will always be under the scanner. But as the result cannot be changed, we might as well move on.
Despair for Mercedes turned to joy for fans and memers
A lot of creative ways have been found to make the most of that night. The most conventional way of course has been through memes. A meme surfaced that questioned whether Toto said “Michael” or “Mikey”.
And then Max passed Hamilton on the last lap to win the World Championship as Toto Wolff yelled over the radio to Michael Masi “No Mickey, No, No, Mikey! pic.twitter.com/mMkyj5CPDA
— Exe (@execaballero) December 12, 2021
A fan found Wolff in a particularly fun mood and chose to pop the question. What really was it, Michael or Mikey? This was Toto’s response!
A soccer team also used the situation and posted a hilarious tweet via their official Twitter handle
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
One of the most unconventional ways however was a throw pillow of the dialogue!
Regardless of what has gone by, the decision stood and the Championship was for Red Bull and Verstappen to take home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Timeline of the Controversial Jewelry Ban Involving Lewis Hamilton
As Mercedes continues to struggle this season, it is far from likely that we will get an encore of Toto’s performance last season at Abu Dhabi. The drama off the tracks will be missed but we still will be hoping for a gripping race night.
