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- Formulation 1’s governing physique, the FIA, has begun an in depth evaluation into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- Lewis Hamilton clearly has not gotten over the frustration or presumably even the anger from Abu Dhabi, as has not posted on social media because the title race.
- Mercedes has dropped its attraction, however group principal Toto Wolff vowed that it will maintain the FIA to account over the state of affairs.
The controversy surrounding the 2021 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix simply will not die.
Formulation 1’s governing physique, the FIA, has begun an in depth evaluation into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that dictated the result of the 2021 Formulation 1 World Championship. A late Security Automotive interval throughout the title-deciding race on the Yas Marina Circuit, on December 12, resulted in a controversial conclusion to the marketing campaign.
The applying of the laws by race director Michael Masi, most prominently the unlapping of solely 5 vehicles and instantly restarting the race for a one-lap dash to the end moderately than ready for one lap, has come underneath scrutiny. Max Verstappen handed Lewis Hamilton on the ultimate lap—the only real race lap after the security automobile—to assert the victory and the world title.
Hamilton clearly has not gotten over the frustration or presumably even anger from Abu Dhabi, as has not posted on social media because the title finale. His final public remark was his temporary post-race interview in parc ferme. He didn’t attend the FIA Prize-Giving ceremony 4 days later and is known to have spent the winter break thus far in the USA. Verstappen, in the meantime, is because of take part on this weekend’s Digital Le Mans 24 Hours.
Masi’s interpretation of two articles within the sporting laws associated to utilization of the Security Automotive was questioned, however stewards backed Masi by pointing to Article 15.3, which supplies the race director overriding authority on the Security Automotive. That was judged to have outdated the 2 articles in query even when it was not explicitly outlined as such within the laws.
A livid Mercedes group launched an attraction, which it later withdrew, confirming Verstappen as champion, however boss Toto Wolff vowed that it will maintain the FIA to account over the state of affairs.
The FIA, throughout the closing days of Jean Todt’s presidency, upset observers by suggesting that followers and drivers had misunderstood the state of affairs, however asserted {that a} full investigation would happen.
Todt was succeeded by Mohammed Ben Sulayem on December 17, however additional updates had not been forthcoming till a press release was launched on Thursday.
“Following the choice of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 15 December 2021, the FIA administration, underneath the management of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has began the detailed evaluation of the occasions of the final Formulation 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,” learn a press release. “The FIA President launched a session with all F1 groups on numerous points, together with this one.
On January 19, an merchandise on the agenda of the Sporting Advisory Committee will likely be devoted to using the Security Automotive.
“The next stage will likely be a shared dialogue with all F1 drivers.
“The end result of the detailed evaluation will likely be offered to the F1 Fee in February and the ultimate selections will likely be introduced on the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain on 18 March.
“FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has requested Secretary Normal Sport and lately appointed Single-Seater Director Peter Bayer for proposals to overview and optimize the group of the FIA F1 construction for the 2022 season.”
Whereas the assertion means that the state of affairs will solely be clear on March 18, which is the opening day of observe for the primary spherical of 2022 in Bahrain, an image is more likely to emerge earlier than then. That’s as a result of conferences involving key stakeholders are because of happen in early February, earlier than the opening preseason take a look at takes place on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain, on February 23-25.
The F1 Fee includes key representatives from the ten groups, together with senior figures from Formulation 1 and the FIA. Meaning any findings and conclusions are more likely to be identified in February, with the date of March 18 a rubber-stamping train, given that it’s the subsequent scheduled assembly of the FIA’s WMSC.
The involvement of drivers, groups and Formulation 1 figures will alleviate some concern over the FIA’s position as arbitrator in investigating its personal group. Formulation 1 can also be unlikely to need the anticipation of its new vehicles, which have been a number of years within the making, to be overshadowed by the hangover of final yr’s finale.