Wolff accepts responsibility for Mercedes’ 2016 Abu Dhabi micromanagement

“Let us race,” Lewis Hamilton told his Mercedes race engineer during the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. As the race’s tenth anniversary approached, Toto Wolff said he was responsible for some of the controversy surrounding Mercedes’ handling of the title fight with Nico Rosberg.

Wolff said he wished he had had more experience at the time and would have handled some things differently, perhaps avoiding some of the controversy. He singled out the finale, saying Mercedes had tried to micromanage a situation that, in his view, did not need managing. “And that was my fault.”

The tension had built earlier in the season. Hamilton and Rosberg collided on the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix, eliminating both Mercedes cars; in Austria, Rosberg was penalised after contact on the final lap. After the Austrian clash, Mercedes tightened its rules of engagement, warning that further collisions could carry sporting and financial consequences while still allowing the pair to race.

Rosberg had capitalised on Hamilton’s engine failure while leading in Malaysia and arrived in Abu Dhabi 12 points ahead; a podium would secure the title. Hamilton deliberately slowed the pace to draw rivals into contention and try to force Rosberg outside the top three. Mercedes repeatedly told him to speed up, warning that Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen could threaten its one-two. The tactic failed: Rosberg finished second behind race-winner Hamilton and claimed his only drivers’ title by five points. Mercedes still achieved a one-two and secured both championships.