(Motorsport-Total.com) – The many boos at the end of the 2026 British Grand Prix in Silverstone made it clear how little the fans thought of the neutralized finish. But Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff reacted relieved: Unlike the famous 2021 Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi, “the regulations were followed,” said Wolff. “That is good.”
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Wolff also said: “I would have preferred it if that had happened already in 2021. That would have been much more important.”
From his point of view, this is understandable: If the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – like Silverstone 2026 – had ended under yellow, Max Verstappen probably would not have become world champion, but Lewis Hamilton. It would have been the historic eighth world championship win, which would have made then Mercedes driver Hamilton the sole record holder.
How FIA and Formula 1 reacted to Abu Dhabi
The Automobile World Federation (FIA) reacted after Abu Dhabi 2021 and adjusted the Formula 1 rules. One consequence was that no release was given in Silverstone 2026. “Sometimes that doesn’t make for the most exciting race finish,” says Wolff.
“From an entertainment perspective, of course everyone would have liked to see Lewis fighting us and maybe also Charles Leclerc on the soft tires. But that is sport. The show follows the sport – and not the other way around,” explained Wolff. “That is why it is right that the FIA made this decision.”
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George Russell welcomes consistent stance of race management
George Russell, as one of the directors of the Formula 1 Drivers’ Association (GPDA), sees it similarly: “The way Formula 1 and FIA handle such a situation should not be different at the end of the race than at the start. Yes, it is a pity – but what can you do?”
“Of course, there was a lot of discussion after Abu Dhabi 2021. However, if you look at how many races in the past 20 years have actually ended behind the Safety Car, then that is not so many,” said Russell. That is true: The statistics name a dozen Grands Prix out of hundreds of races that ended behind the Safety Car.
The finish in Silverstone 2026 is therefore rare – and is likely to cause significantly fewer discussions than Abu Dhabi 2021. Even the incorrect display that the Safety Car would go to the pits one lap before the end, Wolff did not want to condemn when asked. He said: “In such a situation, mistakes can happen. That was corrected, and that is the end of it.”
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