This is a sight to see. Wolff and Horner let bygones be bygones. For now.
After their final press conference before the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Toto Wolff and Christian Horner shook hands in front of the cameras.
The gesture of goodwill comes before Red Bull and Mercedes aim for each other's heads this weekend. The two haven't exactly had a bright relationship this season.
Wolff muttered the words 'good luck' to his rival Team Principal and reached for his hand when asked what he'd say before the grand finale.
"May the best man and the best team win."
Toto Wolff and Christian Horner shake hands in their final news conference ahead of the championship-deciding #AbuDhabiGP 🤝 pic.twitter.com/9tYrTiqhDl— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 10, 2021
"Nobody has come close to challenging this team in the last eight years," Horner said. "Here we are at the final race, in with a shot, a long shot in the constructors', and equal opportunity on the drivers. So I think there's a real feeling of excitement."
"It almost feels like a bit like Squid Game, that we've finished up here on equal points. I think it's going to make compelling viewing on Sunday," Horner added.
The Driver Standings are at a dead tie between Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton after last weekend's Grand Prix.
Hamilton had plenty to endure on his way to winning the Saudi Grand Prix and will be hoping to replicate his stellar form in Abu Dhabi.
Friends Forever
While the two drivers have been embroiled in a bitter rivalry on the track, the two Team Principal's understand it's bigger than the two drivers.
"It would be for me, a very artificial to sit here or throughout the season and be all smiles with your biggest competitor. For me, I can't do that, because that wouldn't be being true. It wouldn't be being honest," Horner said.
"Of course, emotions boil over. We're in a competitive sport. And I think that's Formula 1. It shows the intensity of the competition, the intensity between the teams. It's given you guys something to write about."
Jean Todt keeping the peace between Toto Wolff and Christian Horner 🙏😅#F1 #SaudiArabianGP 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/fAiglAohd3
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) December 5, 2021
Wolff had similar sentiments. "There's mutual respect for the job that the other team has done. They wouldn't be where they are competing for this championships all along. But it is just too intense.
"I stand for the team and in the interests of the team, and that can be fierce at times, because it's not only the drivers battling on track."
"It's a fight for the advantage in the regulations, and obviously we have also certain bias that comes from different perspectives and different perceptions."
So will we get a Squid Game ending to this Formula 1 season come Sunday? Hamilton has the advantage coming out of Friday's practice runs.
All eyes will be on qualifying on Saturday to see who has the advantage come Sunday, which will be broadcast on Channel 4 as well as Sky Sports.
See Also: How Hamilton Broadcast To One And Met Commentary Icon Before First Gig
