Wolff and Horner shake hands before the title fight

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and rival Red Bull’s Christian Horner showed sportsmanship ahead of the race for the Formula One title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after months of pungent trading. bitter.

Facing the media with the constructors’ championship trophy between them, the pair shook hands not once but twice, to ease the tension that had been caused between the two rival teams of surname.

“We are competing for the two biggest titles in sport, of course the competition is fierce,” Horner said.

“It would be completely hypocritical to sit here and say how much we love each other… Because I’m not going on vacation with you after this weekend,” he added, turning to Wolff.

Verstappen and Hamilton were level as they progressed to Sunday’s flooded final at Yas Marina but the Dutchman led 9-8 by victory and would be crowned if both failed to score.

The pair have been in touch three times this season, most recently at the inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, marked by radio exchanges, arguments and heated clashes.

But even with the battle between Verstappen and Hamilton in full swing, Wolff and Horner are no less competitive.

Red Bull is 28 points behind Mercedes in the constructors rankings, with Horner admitting it will take a miracle to win.

Their lap of four consecutive titles was ended by Mercedes in 2014, but Horner will still be pleased to beat Hamilton to the driver’s title.

It would make the German player his first defeat in the current era of discipline after seven consecutive doubles titles.

Horner and Wolff reported each other’s teams and drivers to race management, questioned the legality of their cars, raised rumors about the manager’s impartiality and even insulted live plating https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/f1 -title-rival-boss-bring-hint-mime-paddock-2021-11-06 together.

“As he said, the personalities are very different,” the Austrian said on Friday.

“But it’s just a fight for … one of the most important prizes in sport, which is the world championship. That’s why you can’t expect much of a word fight between drivers. , the principal and all the teams.”