Crimson Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has spoken about Method 1 and the FIA’s ongoing investigation into the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi, by which Max Verstappen received the race – and the title – beneath controversial circumstances.
Wheatley says F1 should work collectively to study from and ‘comply with the end result’ of the investigation, which is because of be offered earlier than the 2022 season begins in March.
The matter is being investigated after the principles weren’t utilized accurately, with race director Michael Masi permitting solely the vehicles between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to unlap themselves, leaving a number of different vehicles out of place.
The foundations additionally state that the Security Automobile ought to are available in on the next lap, however it pitted on the identical lap, which left only one racing lap left, giving Verstappen the chance he wanted to go Hamilton.
Mercedes protested the race consequence, which was rejected by the stewards. The staff then pushed forward with an enchantment, however later deserted that strategy after discussions with the FIA by which they mentioned they might maintain the governing physique accountable, prompting the investigation.
Wheatley says it’s essential the game works collectively to study from the investigation.
“I don’t need to sound like Boris Johnson and say I’m ready for a sure report to come back by means of, however it’s actually essential that the FIA do their investigation and work with the groups on that investigation and we should always all comply with the end result of no matter that investigation is,” he informed The Jack Threlfall Present podcast.
“If we glance broad brush at race route, it’s a really, very tough position that the Race Director and the stewards have.
Crimson Bull typically complained about unfair stewarding selections throughout the ’22 season and Wheatley additionally desires that to be addressed.
“We take a look at that and we speak in regards to the consistency of the stewards’ selections, consistency throughout the board, like individuals who watch soccer wish to see from referees, and it’s not all the time the case.
“After all, we’d all adore it to be very, very clear. We’ve had this nice, overarching philosophy of ‘allow them to race’, however allow them to race is only a philosophy. You’ve then bought the black and white of the laws, which is commonly very prescribed when it comes to what penalty [to apply]. There’s no wriggle room in it in any respect.
“I feel these are the areas of the game that should come from the very high; it wants to come back from the World Motor Sport Council, who have to say, ‘Listed here are the rules by which we’re going racing’.
“Then it’s as much as the FIA and the groups to work collectively to make sure a constant set of sporting laws.”
Nonetheless, Wheatley admits racers like Verstappen and Hamilton, who he described as “pure”, could make policing them tough as they may all the time push the boundaries of what’s allowed.
“I feel for those who take a look at any elite sportsman, in any sport, they increase the bar, they problem everybody round them.
“They make it a really tough job to attempt to police them sometimes. Max is a pure, 100% racing driver, as is Lewis. What we noticed final 12 months was a titanic battle and I hope there’s many extra of these to come back.”