F1 World Enraged By New Product From F1: "Literally Rubbing Their Bare-Faced Corruption In Our Faces"
The 2021 Formula 1 World Championship will forever be etched into the minds of fans after its controversial ending. The dramatic conclusion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the actions of then-race director Michael Masi made it a year filled with excitement, but also controversy.
Madrid's Unique F1 Exhibition
Recently, the extraordinary ending of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix resurfaced during the grand unveiling of the world's premier F1 Exhibition, located in Madrid, Spain. F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali graced the opening, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This one-of-a-kind exhibition showcases Romain Grosjean's chassis from his fiery 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix crash and Pierre Gasly's AlphaTauri from his inaugural victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.
A Curious Souvenir
But while fans couldn't wait to see more of these legendary F1 pieces of history, a gift shop within the exhibit offered fans the chance to purchase a rather intriguing mug. After the opening, the exhibit's first guests quickly observed that mugs emblazoned with a quote from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff were up for grabs, causing quite a stir on social media.
F1 has now been said to be "rubbing their bare-faced corruption" in the faces of fans as they sell mugs connected to the 2021 finale, featuring Wolff's now-famous radio message to Masi: "No Michael no."
The Quote That Defined an F1 Season
This phrase, of course, alludes to the final laps of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, when Masi bent the rules regarding the race's late Safety Car period. The race was immediately branded as "manipulated" by Lewis Hamilton, who would have secured an unparalleled eighth world title if the rules had been properly enforced.
Masi's blunder provided Max Verstappen with an unexpected chance to overtake Hamilton, a scenario that would have been impossible under normal circumstances. Consequently, Verstappen seized victory and his first-ever title, forever haunting both Hamilton and Wolff.
The Aftermath of a Fateful Decision
Fans of the sport have taken to social media to note their disgust in this choice of product by F1. Here's what they have to say:
It does seem very strange that F1 is putting focus on one of the most controversial moments of the sport.
I think we'd all love to know everything that went on that day.
My sentiments exactly!
Mercedes could very likely have done more to combat the result. Maybe they should take notes from Aston Martin after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix debacle?
I do find it very strange that F1 is bringing attention to this. I'm sure they understand they will receive backlash, or is that why they're doing it? Viral social media marketing is no joke.
Of course, there's a chance we're all just overthinking this...
A Lasting Legacy
In the end, the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship will forever be remembered for its controversy, emotion, and the impact it had on the sport. The Madrid F1 Exhibition and its peculiar Toto Wolff mugs serve as a testament to a season that shook the racing world to its core.
As fans and enthusiasts explore the exhibit and sip coffee from their "No Michael no" mugs, they will undoubtedly reminisce about the electrifying, unforgettable moments that the 2021 Formula 1 season provided, with the championship winner being unknown until the very last lap of the season. And what a season it was because of this.