The Formula 1 fanbase is buzzing with controversy once again as the fallout from the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continues to haunt the sport. The drama surrounding former FIA race director Michael Masi has resurfaced, sparking heated online debates, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finding himself at the center of renewed trolling from fans.
The resurgence of this saga began after recent comments and analyses revisited the infamous title decider between Hamilton and Max Verstappen. In that race, Masi’s contentious decision to allow only a select number of lapped cars to un-lap themselves during a late safety car period set the stage for Verstappen to overtake Hamilton on fresher tires, clinching his maiden championship. The incident led to widespread criticism of Masi, prompting his eventual exit from the FIA.
On social media, the topic reignited after fan accounts and pundits dissected the long-term implications of Masi’s decisions. Critics of Hamilton took the opportunity to troll the Mercedes driver, accusing him of “playing the victim” and blaming him for failing to defend against Verstappen in the crucial moments. Meanwhile, Hamilton supporters flooded the threads with counterarguments, reiterating their stance that the race outcome was manipulated.
While both Hamilton and Masi have largely avoided discussing the incident in recent months, the online drama shows no signs of slowing down. Many fans feel the sport has moved on, with Verstappen dominating the past three seasons and Hamilton’s focus shifting toward building his legacy beyond F1.
Despite this, the shadow of Abu Dhabi 2021 remains a divisive issue in the motorsport community, with opinions deeply entrenched on both sides. For now, it appears the wounds of that fateful race are far from healed, with Hamilton and his supporters left to endure the trolling that resurfaces whenever the controversy is revisited.
The FIA has since implemented changes to its race management procedures, including the introduction of a Virtual Race Control Room and new safety car protocols, in a bid to prevent similar controversies in the future. However, for many fans, the scars of Abu Dhabi remain a defining moment in modern F1 history.
