Max Verstappen is still not over the dramatic 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that saw him defeat the ever-dominant Lewis Hamilton, a lap away from the chequered flag. One might assume it’s because he had won his first-ever world championship by the end of that race. However, that’s not it!

Instead, quite interestingly, the reason is F1 race director, Michael Masi, and Mercedes’ team principal, Toto Wolff. How you might ask? Well, while competing in a virtual racing event, the Dutchman amusingly mocked an Abu Dhabi GP radio exchange between Wolff and Masi.

What did Max Verstappen do?

It was a rather busy Sunday for Verstappen as the Red Bull driver joined his E-sports team, Redline, for the virtual 24h Daytona event. During the race, his teammate, Gianni Vecchio, suffered a shunt from the back, which left his car spiraling off the track and into the barriers.

Verstappen, after hearing of the crash, hilariously replied that he would report the incident to the Formula One race director, Michael Masi. “So instead of giving up the spot, he drives you out of the way. I’ll report it to Michael Masi,” the one-time world champion said.

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But that isn’t what triggered the laugh riot. While two of the other Redline teammates continued to discuss among themselves, Verstappen imitated Wolff’s Abu Dhabi GP radio message in the background. “No Mikey, No!” Verstappen said in a high-pitched voice.

Here’s the video:

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The actual radio message in Abu Dhabi

The entire garages of Red Bull and Mercedes were on the edge of their seats awaiting Masi’s ruling amid the active safety car period. The clock was ticking and Masi had to make a decision soon, with constant pressure coming from both the team’s bosses, Wolff and Horner.

Keep the safety car out and Hamilton wins. End the safety car period and Hamilton still wins, thanks to the line of lapped cars stranded between the title warriors.

But, then arrived the shocking decision from Masi, who allowed the handful of cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves while disallowing the rest of the lapped cars from doing the same. Consequently, Verstappen no longer had any hindrances and the safety car was coming in with a lap in hand.

Hence, Wolff noticed the alleged unfair play in the ruling and yelled at Masi through the radio. “No Mikey. No! That was so not right,” the Austrian cried only to receive a mute response in return.

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