Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, says that a “detailed analysis and clarification exercise” will take place following the controversial conclusion to the 2021 season.
Max Verstappen claimed the lead from Lewis Hamilton on the final lap in Abu Dhabi, to grab the win and the world title, following a late Safety Car restart.
Mercedes protested the results, outlining its belief that Article 48.12 of the Sporting Regulations was not followed, but this was dismissed by stewards.
Mercedes has lodged a notice of intention to appeal and has until Thursday afternoon to determine whether or not to press ahead with a formal appeal.
The FIA gathered in Paris on Wednesday for the World Motor Sport Council meeting, which takes place every three months, ahead of Thursday’s Prize Giving Ceremony.
In a statement issued after the meeting the FIA outlined that the conclusion to Sunday’s race “generated significant misunderstanding and reactions” that continue to “tarnish the image of the championship.”
A report was presented regarding the sequence of events that occurred on Sunday and outgoing President Jean Todt proposed that a detailed analysis will now take place.
“The world watched every race with great anticipation, knowing that in the end, there could only be one winner,” read a statement from the FIA.
“In this respect, many praised Max Verstappen for his victory, and Lewis Hamilton for his remarkable performance and sportsmanship after the closing event of the season.
“The 2021 FIA Formula 1 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 Formula 1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans, an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the Championship and the due celebration of the first Drivers’ World Championship title won by Max Verstappen and the eighth consecutive Constructors’ World Championship title won by Mercedes.
“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 Formula 1 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 Formula 1 governance and will propose to the Formula 1 Commission to give a clear mandate for study and proposal to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the support of Formula 1 drivers, so that any identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.”
Mercedes has not issued any official communication since Sunday night.
Its title-winning Formula 1 and Formula E cars were not part of the traditional pre-Prize Giving photoshoot, in which championship-winning cars from the WRC, WEC and WRX were present.
fakef1
F1…I have been a devout follower for several decades only to finally realise corruption involving top Team Bosses is now rife in the sport, and indeed encouraged by corrupt FIA officials , and all for the so called good of the sport….how can sincere fans and followers continue following F1going forward ?
May aswell switch to WWE….
Unless the CORRUPT Massi is found guilty and denied any role in F1 going forward….no point in ever watching the sport again in my opinion……it will be a serious chapter in my life closing but what the 0000
JOHN HARRISON
100% agree! I’ve followed F1 for over 30 years, but what I witnessed on Sunday was disgraceful. That will be my final race I ever watch too and that will be a big life change for me also. F1 is dead and it is evidently no longer a “sport” but a scripted entertainment show, albeit at 200mph. No point investing dozens of hours in a season watching every race, when an official has decided the result in an office.
Totally agree ! F1 2021 championship was 100% decided in the office. The last race was the worse of all times. Disgusting result.
This is the most half-assed response from FiA…. it’s easily interpreted as FiA once again blaming everyone else for their failure to uphold their own rules & regs. This is a pathetic public response and only further’s the reason as to why Michael Masi as well as the stewards present in that room deserve to have their teeth forcibly removed by a blunt object.
Leave it to a French organization to be so pompous and failing the most basic test of self evaluation.
*2021 F1 World Champion – Max Verstappen
dave G – Regrettably, and with lots of off track help.
2021 world champion are Massi+Horner =MadMax
I’ve decided to stop watching F1. It’s been painful to follow, given the clear effort by F1 officialdom to do everything in their power to reduce Mercedes and Hamilton’s success. They succeeded. They could have been part of history, an eighth world championship by the most successful driver ever. Instead, they chose to disregard the rules and manipulate the situation so that historic event could not happen. Ask yourself why? Is it because Lewis comes from a working class family instead of having multi millionaire, even billionaire parents as do most of the other drivers? Is it because he stands for equality and is a role model and social activist for causes the vast majority of people believe in? Is it because he is acknowledged as the best driver? Or is it because he is a person of color in an exclusive white enclave? (Ask yourself when did you last see a person of color in F1?)
FIA remember, trust once lost is never regained.
It’s over.