FIA to undertake Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ‘analysis’ with row over Max Verstappen victory ‘tarnishing’ Formula One

Marc Mayo15 December 2021

Formula One will undertake a “clarification exercise” to learn the “lessons” of the criticism that followed Max Verstappen winning the 2021 World Championship at Abu Dhabi.

Lewis Hamilton was denied a record eighth world title on Sunday when race director Michael Masi opted to only allow lapped cars - but only those between the Brit and second-placed Verstappen - to unlap themselves under a late safety car.

The decision allowed the Red Bull star to cruise past his rival on the last lap, while on fresher tyres, and led to an immediate appeal from Mercedes - while Hamilton complained the result had been “manipulated”.

Constructors champions Mercedes are yet to comment since announcing an intention to appeal their protest to the stewards being thrown out, in a row that the FIA have admitted is “tarnishing” the sport’s image.

A statement released by the governing body on Wednesday said: “The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has prompted a large number of reactions from the F1 community and from motor sport in general, as well as in the public.

“The FIA’s primary responsibility at any event is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the integrity of the sport.

“The circumstances surrounding the use of the Safety Car following the incident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and the related communications between the FIA Race Direction team and the F1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from F1 teams, drivers and fans, an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the Championship.”

FIA president Jean Todt has recommended the organisation review the matter to “identify meaningful feedback” ahead of the 2022 season.

Verstappen is set to lift his championship trophy on Thursday at the prize giving gala in Paris, officially marking the end of the campaign and any hope of Mercedes overturning the result.

The statement continued: “Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on Lap 53 of the Grand Prix and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place.

“This matter will be discussed and addressed with all the teams and drivers to draw any lessons from this situation and clarity to be provided to the participants, media, and fans about the current regulations to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the drivers and officials.

“It is not only F1 that may benefit from this analysis, but also more generally all the other FIA circuit championships. Following that presentation and an extensive discussion, the World Council has decided to unanimously support the President’s proposal.

“The FIA will therefore do its utmost to have this in motion within the F1 governance and will propose to the F1 Commission to give a clear mandate for study and proposal to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the support of F1 drivers, so that any identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.”

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