The Abu Dhabi Final Lap Scandal
| 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Race details | |||
| Date | 12 December 2021 | ||
| Official name | Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 | ||
| Location | Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | ||
| Distance | 58 laps, 306.183 km (190.253 mi) | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | Red Bull Racing-Honda | ||
| Second | Mercedes | ||
| Third | Ferrari | ||
|
Lap leaders
| |||
"The Abu Dhabi Final Lap Scandal[1][2]", also dubbed the "Abu Dhabi robbery",[3][4][5] "Abu Dhabi Miracle",[6] "Masigate",[7] in the media, was a sports scandal which occurred during the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; a Formula One race held on 12 December 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The race ended in controversy when the former race director of Formula One racing, Michael Masi, made a few out of the ordinary race directions, towards the last lap of the race. These decisions influenced the outcome of not only the final race win, but also determined the winner of the 2021 Formula One World Championship.[8]
7-time Formula One World Champion and the defending World Champion Lewis Hamilton led 57 out of 58 laps,[lower-alpha 1] built up a gap of 12 seconds, and was expected to win the race by a wide margin.
In the closing stages of the race however, safety car conditions had bunched up the field and wiped out Hamilton's 12-second lead, allowed championship contender Max Verstappen to close up directly behind the race leader. Decisions made by race control in the final lap of the race lead to a single-lap showdown between the championship frontrunners, culminating in Verstappen, who had pitted for fresh tyres just laps before, gaining the lead after Hamilton was unable to fend him off.
The actions of race control left Lewis fans and UK media in a ongoing meltdown Lewis Hamilton, racing engineers "shell-shocked"[9][10] and "speechless".[11]
The incident caused outrage amongst the wide group of F1 fans and the public, with F1 fans calling the outcome of the race “robbery”,[3][4][5] "farcical",[12] “absolutely unacceptable”,[13][14] "an absolute disgrace",[15] and "a manipulated race".[13]
The controversy has been described as arguably “one of the biggest sporting scandals in history”.[16] It is certainly one of the most controversial race finish and season ending in the history of Formula One.[17][18][19]
Background[edit]
The beginning of the season, started with Max Verstappen, racing for Red Bull Honda highly favoured to win the championship. Due to Red Bull seemingly adapting to regulations and Lewis Hamilton`s team Mercedes AMG Petronas struggling, Red Bull appeared to have an advantage with a "quicker car" at the beginning of the season.[20][21]
However, a late October surge in car and engine optimization of Mercedes, led to Lewis Hamilton winning the three last races, while Red Bull seemingly struggled to keep up with the rate of Mercedes end of season engine development.[22][23][24] Four days before the race, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner acknowledged they would "need a miracle" to win the Championship.[25]
The constellation before the last race was therefore title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, entering the last round both having 369.5 championship points, making this the first time since 1974, championship contenders were level on points at the last race of the season.[26] With both drivers level on points, the driver who scored the most points would win the championship.[27][28]
With the ongoing rivalry, concerns soon emerged both drivers might cause a race collision, due to several on-track battles Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen had during the season.[29] There was indeed cause for concern, as previous collisions, during the 1989, 1990, and 1994 Championship, have led to drivers with more points or race wins, winning the Championship.[30]
To prevent a scenario like this from happening again, race director Michael Masi cautioned both drivers, they could face FIA - (The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile; English: International Automobile Federation) sanctions, including point reduction, championship disqualification, or future race bans, if they staged a race-ending collision.[31][32]
The Race[edit]
The race until lap 53[edit]
The race started at 17:00 pm local time on Sunday 12 December 2021 and was up till lap 53, fairly uneventful.
Lewis Hamilton led from the start, overtaking Max Verstappen before the first corner. Both came close to a first-lap collision at the corner of turn 6 after Verstappen braked late in an attempt to overtake Hamilton on the inside of the corner.[33] Hamilton avoided the collision by driving off track and completely cutting the corner, emerging ahead of Verstappen. Somewhat controversially, the racing stewards concluded Lewis Hamilton didn't need to hand the place back (because Lewis slowed down to give the time advantage back).[33]
During lap 35, Alfa Romeo racing driver Antonio Giovinazzi retired his car because of gearbox problems, triggering a virtual safety car. Red Bull used this opportunity to swap Verstappen's tires to a new set of hard compound tires without losing track position; Mercedes opted not to change their tires, fearing they might lose 1st-place position.[33]
The final 5 laps and orders made by race control[edit]
By lap 53, and after a 1-hour, 25-minute race, race leader Lewis Hamilton had acquired a lead of 12 seconds ahead of 2nd placed Max Verstappen.[34][35] In lap 53 however, Williams driver Nicholas Latifi, went off the circuit at turn 14, and crashed into the barriers, triggering a safety car period.
After the race restarted on the last lap, Lewis Hamilton had lost this gap and the race within 30 seconds of race restart.
Allegations of race-fixing were swiftly uttered after the race, because the race director, appeared not to have followed the International Sporting Code[36] and FIA Sporting Regulations[37] to the letter of the law, during the last few laps.
The controversy[38] specifically evolved around:
- allegations the race director used a safety car period, to "engineer" a race win for Max Verstappen who was 12 seconds behind the race leader, and suddenly won the race in the last few seconds.[39]
- Questions were raised, because the race director appeared to pick and choose which cars would continue racing, and which cars would have their race ended before the race finished, in particular:
- five lapped cars between Max Verstappen and race leader Lewis Hamilton were asked to move out of the way of Max Verstappen;
- however, three lapped cars behind Verstappen, including two cars in front of third-placed Carlos Sainz Jr. were asked to remain behind Verstappen and in front of Sainz.[40][41]
- Race controls directive to hasten the safety car procedures (quickly ordering the safety car into the pitlane, while lapped cars hadn't finished unlapping themselves), have also been called into question.[42]
- Observers have also queried what appeared to be race control green flagging the race, at a time the track appeared to not have been cleared for racing yet.[10]
Lap 54 analysis[edit]
Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll and Mick Schumacher opted to use the Safety car to pit for new sets of soft tires.[43] Mercedes again opted not to pit Lewis Hamilton, because that meant they would have lost the first-place position, if the safety car period hadn't ended.
After the pitstops, a running order of race leader Hamilton and Verstappen in 2nd place, (a first group of lapped cars, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc, and Sebastian Vettel); as well as Carlos Sainz Jr. in 3rd place (a second group of lapped cars, Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll), emerged.
Lap 56 analysis[edit]
Between lap 55 and lap 56, the official F1 Race director message screen issued a notice:
This prompted Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to radio the race director Michael Masi:
Christian Horner: “W… W… Why aren’t we getting these… these lapped cars out the way?”
Michael Masi: “Just give me… because Christian… just give me a second… okay… My main… big one is to get this… err… incident clear.” Horner: “We only need one racing lap.”[46]
This also prompted Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley to radio the race director:
Jonathan Wheatley: “Obviously, those lapped cars, you don’t need to let them go right the way around and catch up with the back of the pack.”
Michael Masi: “Understood.”
Jonathan Wheatley: “You need to let them go, and then we’ve got a motor race on our hands.”
Michael Masi: “Understood, just give me a second.“
Lap 57 analysis[edit]
Four minutes later, Michael Masi instructed the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves.[47]
The race director moving five cars out of the way of second placed Verstappen meant, the 12.116-second gap to Hamilton vanished, and Verstappen was now directly behind Hamilton.
Contrary to racing regulations however, the race director let lapped cars behind Verstappen remain in front of 3rd placed Carlos Sainz Jr.
Departing once again from racing regulations the race director didn't order the safety car back into the pitlane in the "following lap", after the last cars had unlapped themselves. He instead, ordered the safety car into the pitlane immediately, before lapped cars caught up with the grid.
The official F1 race controls team message and timing board announced simultaneously:
1831 LAPPED CARS 4 (NOR) - 14 - 31 - 16 - 5 TO OVERTAKE SAFETY CAR[45]
1831 SAFETY CAR IN THIS LAP[45]
These directives from race control appeared to contradict Articles 48.12 and 48.13 of the Formula One Sporting Regulation,[48] and also appeared to break Michael Masi's precedent[lower-alpha 2] from a previous race.[50][51]Motorsport Week noted, if the race director had applied the same rule for both races, there wouldn't have been enough time to restart the race.[52]
After announcing the Safety car would be in and only half of the cars unlapping themselves, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff protested: “No Michael, no no! That was so not right."[47]
Questions if the race resumed, before the track was cleared for racing[edit]
Reports indicate race control resumed racing before the track was officially cleared. The message to end the safety car and resume racing appeared at 18:31 pm, while the track was officially declared clear at 18:32 pm.[10]
1827 LAPPED CARS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO OVERTAKE
1831 LAPPED CARS 4 (NOR) - 14 - 31 - 16 - 5 TO OVERTAKE SAFETY CAR
1831 SAFETY CAR IN THIS LAP
1831 CLEAR IN TRACK SECTOR 17
1831 CLEAR IN TRACK SECTOR 15
1832 TRACK CLEAR
1832 CLEAR IN TRACK SECTOR 18
Lap 58 (last lap)[edit]
These instructions of race control enabled Verstappen to pass Hamilton into turn 5, to take the lead a few seconds before the end of the race, and win the race.
“Michael, this isn't right. Michael! What was that?" Toto Wolff protested again after Verstappen overtook Hamilton.[47]
In the end, Hamilton finished second and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. finished third, with Verstappen taking the World Drivers' Championship title.
Over the radio broadcast, Toto Wolff urged Masi to reinstate the order of the penultimate lap: "You need to reinstate the lap before, that's not right!”, Wolff exclaimed.[47]
To which Micheal Masi retorted:
“Toto, It’s called a motor race, Okay???”
Toto Wolff: “Sorry?”
Michael Masi: “We went car racing.”[47]
“It’s called a motor race.”[edit]
The reason the race director gave, wanting “a motor race/ car racing”,[47] has been called into question.[53] Further down the grid, the decisions of race control led to cars being out of synch, with the cars they were racing against, preventing three drivers from continuing racing, and protecting five drivers from getting overtaken.[54]
Carlos Sainz Jr. last lap analysis[edit]
Carlos Sainz Jr., finished the race in third, without any opportunity to race against the two leading drivers.
According to Article 48.12 of the FIA sporting regulations, the race director was required to direct the two lapped drivers (Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll) between Verstappen and Sainz to overtake the safety car, to give Sainz a fair opportunity to race against the leading cars.
However, the instructions of race control, requiring Ricciardo and Stroll to stay behind Verstappen and in front of Sainz, meant Sainz was unable to join the fight for the race win, or at least to race against Verstappen and Hamilton, both of whom the race director had now placed out of reach for Sainz.
Team radio messages between Sainz and his race engineer Riccardo Adami show both driver and strategist were confused drivers in front of Verstappen were cleared, but cars in front of Sainz remained in front of him for the rest of the race:
Carlos Sainz Jr.: "...giving massive advantage to some people. What’s happening?”
Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami.: “Lapped cars are unlapping. Safety Car in this lap”.
Carlos Sainz Jr.: “Tell this Aston Martin [Lance Stroll] to unlap himself. What is he doing? What are these two guys [Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll] doing? They are not unlapping themselves, they need to go.”
Riccardo Adami: “Restart like this. They restart like this. Treat them as lapped cars”
Carlos Sainz Jr.: “Very strange... very unfair".
Carlos Sainz Jr. was now sandwiched between two slower, lapped drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll with fresh tires in front of him, and three fast drivers, Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly also with fresh tires behind him. Sainz remarked after the race, these decisions "nearly cost him (his) podium".[55]
Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll and Mick Schumacher last lap analysis[edit]
Lance Stroll, Daniel Ricciardo, and Mick Schumacher had the same strategy as Max Verstappen to swap to a set of new tires in the last few laps to overtake drivers struggling on old tires in front of them.
According to Article 48.12 of the FIA sporting regulations, the race director was required to direct the three lapped drivers behind Verstappen to overtake the safety car, to offer them a fair opportunity to race against the other lapped drivers Vettel, Leclerc, Ocon, Alonso, and Norris.
The directions race control gave, requiring Ricciardo, Stroll and Schumacher to stay behind Verstappen, meant these drivers were now unable to race against Vettel, Leclerc, Ocon, Alonso, and Norris, all of whom the race director had now placed out of reach for Stroll, Ricciardo and Schumacher.
For these drivers on worn tires, the decision of the race director gave them a huge reprieve and protected them from getting overtaken by faster cars with fresh tires behind them.[56]
Daniel Ricciardo, who was behind Verstappen during the safety car period and was not permitted to unlap himself, was communicating his confusion on his team radio to his race engineer:
“I’ve got no idea what they did with letting cars through. I’m glad I’m not a part of that - whatever just happened. It seemed pretty f***ed up”.[57]
The decisions of the race director also left Lance Stroll and his Race Engineer Ben Mitchell on team radio struggling to understand how to approach the race restart.
Lance Stroll: “Er… There`s cars overtaking the safety car?"
Ben Mitchell: “No. Not us, not us. Stay where you are, stay where you are. Cars behind will have blue flags.”
Lance Stroll: “I don’t understand, why I shouldn’t be able to overtake the safety car.”
Ben Mitchell: “Ok, Lance. That is chequered flag, that is chequered flag. We will explain what happened later”
Lance Stroll: “Yeah man, what the f**ck?!?!?!”
Ben Mitchell: “We will explain later.”[57]
- Allowing only the first five cars to unlap, meant the decisions of race control moved Max Verstappen forward, placing him in a correct position to resume racing, however didn't move lapped drivers Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll, and Mick Schumacher in the correct position to resume racing, to compete with other lapped drivers in front of them.[53]
- Not allowing these lapped cars to rejoin the back of the grid, and immediately withdrawing the safety car, bought Verstappen enough time for a final lap and overtaking opportunity.
- Not allowing the first five lapped cars to rejoin the grid, also meant they weren't able to race an entire lap, but only half a lap.
- Leaving the second group of lapped to remain behind the race leaders, meant they were now out of reach of drivers they were planning on racing against, and it also meant that the earlier group didn't need to worry about getting overtaken in the final lap.
- Of fourteen drivers who ended the race, the only drivers who were able to improve their positions in the last lap, were all Red Bull drivers:
- Red Bull Honda driver Max Verstappen was able to overtake Lewis Hamilton for the race win, in the last lap.
- Red Bull sister team, AlphaTauri-Honda driver Yuki Tsunoda, was able to overtake Valtteri Bottas, in the last lap.
- Red Bull sister team, AlphaTauri-Honda driver Pierre Gasly, was able to overtake (lapped) Mick Schumacher and then Valtteri Bottas, in the last lap.
Race classification[edit]
Newly released video footage and the role of Jonathan Wheatley[edit]
Two months after the race, unearthed footage from the race, containing radio, which wasn't broadcast during the worldwide TV broadcast[lower-alpha 3] began emerging on social media.[61] In the footage Red Bull`s Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley could be heard suggesting to race director Michael Masi that lapped cars should be allowed to unlap themselves, but not join the back of the grid, indicating quickly withdrawing the safety car, would enable the race director to quickly get in a last lap of racing.[42]
Jonathan Wheatley: "Obviously those lapped cars, you don't need to let them go right the way around and catch up the back of the pack," Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley could be heard saying.[62]
FIA Race Director, Michael Masi simply replied with: "Understood."
Jonathan Wheatley: "You need to let them go."
FIA Race Director, Michael Masi: "Understood, just give me a second..."
Jonathan Wheatley: "And then we've got a motor race on our hands."
FIA Race Director, Michael Masi: "Understood"[63]
This new previously unheard radio, that was not part of the original TV broadcast, appeared to provide new context, as to how the safety car procedure was sped up, and how Verstappen was able to overtake Lewis Hamilton, while seasoned Formula One veterans were expecting, the safety car to pit, after all lapped cars had unlapped themselves, according to FIA racing procedure.[64][65]
All of the above, which ultimately defined the result of the race, and the outcome of the 2021 Championship, had never happened throughout Formula One history.[66][67][68] The incident has been widely regarded as one of the most controversial endings to a Formula One race, and certainly to a Formula One season.[69][70][71][72]
Alleged rule breaks[edit]
It was suggested the race director, didn't apply the following racing rules:
Article 1 of the FIA International Sporting Code[36][edit]
Article 1.1.1 (Fairness doctrine)
"The FIA shall be the sole international sporting authority entitled to make and enforce regulations based on the fundamental principles of safety and sporting fairness, for the encouragement and control of automobile Competitions, and to organise FIA International Championships."
Article 1.2.3
"It will never be enforced so as to prevent or impede a Competition or the participation of a Competitor, save where the FIA concludes that this is necessary for the safe, fair or orderly conduct of motor sport."
By appearing to exclude the third-placed competitor Carlos Sainz Jr. from joining the two lead drivers to race for 1st or 2nd place, and by appearing to exclude Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll, and Mick Schumacher from racing the other lapped cars, critics have alleged the race director impeded these drivers from fair participation and denied the opportunity to improve their final position in the race.[73]
Article 48.12 of the FIA Sporting Regulation[37][edit]
“If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message ‘lapped cars may now overtake’ has been sent to all competitors via the official messaging system, any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car."
“Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the safety car these cars should then proceed around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking, and make every effort to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car."
"Unless the clerk of the course considers the presence of the safety car is still necessary, once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap.”
The instructions by the Race Control appeared to contravene Article 48.12:
- The race director allowed only the first five cars, instead of all eight lapped cars, to unlap themselves. Critics have called this unusual.[53]
- The last lapped car was Mick Schumacher`s car. The last lapped never passed the leader to join the remaining lapped drivers at the back of the grid,
- nor did the safety car return at the end of the following lap. The safety car returned to the pits while the first lapped car was still in the process of unlapping itself.[74]
Critics have thus alleged the race director thus fast-tracked the safety car procedures, to get one final lap of racing for the two leading drivers, at the expense of the remaining drivers behind.[53][74]
Legal proceedings[edit]
Mercedes' post-race protests[edit]
Mercedes therefore, filed a formal protest[75][76] against the result of the race, asserting:
- Verstappen had overtaken Hamilton at the end of the safety car period,[77] and
- Masi failed to follow safety car procedures. By only allowing the five cars directly in front of Verstappen to unlap themselves, but not providing any opportunity for the three other cars in front of Sainz to unlap themselves, as directed by regulations, race control had contravened the F1 Sporting Regulations,[78][79][80]
- and the restart should have occurred the following lap after all cars had been allowed to unlap themselves, and therefore the result of the race had been invalid.[78][79][80]
The first point was quickly dismissed because Verstappen had only had a few centimeters of his front wing ahead of Hamilton's for a very short time at the end of the safety car period, which technically wasn't an overtake.[80]
As for the second issue, Mercedes argued, if a signal is issued for lapped cars to overtake, according to Article 48.12 all lapped cars must unlap, and the safety car must wait until the end of the following lap to return to the pit area.[81][82] Mercedes pointed out, Hamilton would have won the race and the championship, if this process had been followed, and the classification should be altered accordingly.[83]
Red Bull`s counter-argument[edit]
According to Red Bull,
- Article 15.3 gives the race director overriding authority over the use, deployment, and withdrawal of the safety car;
- Article 48.13, which governs the withdrawal of the safety car, overrides Article 48.12;
Furthermore, Red Bull contended:
- that "any", does not mean "all", therefore not all cars were required to lap the race leaders under Article 48.12, and
- the result of the race wouldn`t have changed anyway if all nine lapped cars had been allowed to unlap.[83]
The race director`s argument[edit]
The race director stated:
- the teams had agreed, where possible, they would highly prefer for the race to finish under "green" racing, instead of ending under a safety car.
- In his view, Article 48.13 applied in this case because the purpose of Article 48.12 was to remove lapped cars that would "interfere" with the race between the leading cars.[83]
The Racing Stewards ruling[edit]
The FIA stewards comprising of Gary Connelly, Felix Holter, Mohamed Al Hashmi, as well as the Driver Steward Derek Warwick[84] based their decisions on Articles 15.3; 48.12, and 48.13 of the Formula One Sporting regulations:
The clerk of the course shall work in permanent consultation with the Race Director. The Race Director shall have overriding authority in the following matters and the clerk of the course may give orders in respect of them only with his express agreement: ... e) The use of the safety car.
If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message "LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE" has been sent to all Competitors via the official messaging system, any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car. ...
Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the safety car these cars should then proceed around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking, and make every effort to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car. ... Unless the clerk of the course considers the presence of the safety car is still necessary, once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap.
When the clerk of the course decides it is safe to call in the safety car the message "SAFETY CAR IN THIS LAP" will be sent to all Competitors via the official messaging system and the car's orange lights will be extinguished. This will be the signal to the Competitors and drivers that it will be entering the pit lane at the end of that lap. At this point the first car in line behind the safety car may dictate the pace and, if necessary, fall more than ten car lengths behind it. ... As the safety car is approaching the pit entry the SC boards will be withdrawn and, other than on the last lap of the sprint qualifying session or the race, as the leader approaches the Line the yellow flags will be withdrawn and a green flag and/or green light panel will be displayed at the Line.
— Articles 15.13, 48.12, and 48.13, 2021 Formula One Sporting Regulations[85]
and ultimately rejected the Mercedes protest[86] citing the "overriding authority" remains with the race director according to articles 48.13 and 15.3 of the F1 sporting regulations, and he has the right to make any rule regarding safety car procedure as he sees fit. Moreover, announcing Hamilton the winner for leading the race at lap 57, one lap before the end of the race would essentially shorten the race.[87][88]
Verstappen was therefore provisionally confirmed as the world champion, pending any appeal.[89][90]
Mercedes appeal[edit]
After the stewards` ruling, Mercedes lodged[91] their intention to appeal to the FIA's International Court of Appeal.[92] However, four days later, on 16 December 2021, Mercedes decided not to go forward with their appeal, in response to the FIA's announcement it would perform a "detailed analysis and clarification exercise" of the incident, and its admission the controversy was "tarnishing the image" of the sport.[93][94]
In an interview, Wolff said Mercedes would have been "almost guaranteed"[95] a win had their Abu Dhabi GP case hearing been inside a regular court, however taking the case in front of the FIA court would be "like marking their own homework.[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5]
While Wolff remained critical of Masi's approach, especially citing Masi's decision in Abu Dhabi as being inconsistent with another determination Masi made at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, in which Masi had previously noted all cars must unlap to extend the safety car period; Wolff clarified neither he, nor Lewis Hamilton had any interest to be awarded the World Championship in a courtroom, and their wish is rather to ensure FIA followed up with their detailed analysis and clarification exercise of the incident.[98]
Suspected conflict of interests regarding FIA Steward Derek Warwick[edit]
After the race stewards` ruling, "conflicts of interest" (Article 11.5 International Sporting Code) questions regarding Derek Warwick, who served as FIA F1 Driver Steward,[99] have been raised. Several voices on social media[100][101] have questioned his impartiality,[102] considering he owns a Honda car dealership.[103] The 2021 Red Bull Honda was a car powered by Honda engines.[104]
Additionally, comments on a BBC 5 live radio podcast: "Chequered Flag - Formula 1 2016 Canadian Grand Prix Preview"[105] in which Warwick, referred to Max Verstappen as the "next great White hope,[106][107] raised a few eyebrows among the F1 community.[100][101]
Warwick has since distanced himself from this comment. A week after the race, he explained on his Twitter page, that he simply meant Verstappen was "the next great thing".[108]
Aftermath[edit]
Reactions from current or former drivers, engineers, team members, managers[edit]
Reactions questioning race controls decisions[edit]
The majority of FIA drivers and former drivers confirmed the race director handling of the restart, was "confusing",[109] "not very correct",[110] "not by the book",[111] or that it was done for "TV entertainment"[112] purposes.
Lewis Hamilton and Peter Bonnington[edit]
In a last-lap radio message, Hamilton exclaimed: "This is getting manipulated, man", to his race engineer Peter Bonnington.[57][113] After crossing the finish line Bonnington still shocked about what had just happened told Hamilton: "I'm just speechless Lewis, absolutely speechless".[11][114]
Carlos Sainz Jr.[edit]
Carlos Sainz Jr. stated after the race, the directive to resume racing sandwiched between lapped drivers with fresh tires in front and drivers with fresh tires behind, "nearly cost him (his) podium".[55]
"It was certainly a very strange situation for me," said Sainz. "At the beginning, I was told they were not going to be allowed to unlap themselves, the people in front of me. Then it was decided to unlap themselves, and some people unlapped themselves, but there was still, I think it was an Aston Martin [Stroll] and a McLaren of [Daniel] Ricciardo, between the two leaders and myself. And this I’ve never had before, having to restart the race with these two guys in front of me, and while fighting for a P3. I do believe it was a strange one, and maybe something to look at because it was very strange to see, and it nearly cost me my podium, to be honest."[109]
Lando Norris[edit]
Lando Norris, who was the first of the drivers permitted to unlap themselves, remarked the decision to race again on the last lap was "made for TV".[112]
"I didn't actually know it was only like the first three or four [five] up to Max," said Norris. "But they said that they're not gonna let us pass. So I'm guessing that was a message to say, they were just not going to let us pass at all. But then to suddenly do it just for the final lap, and for a one lap shootout, then I'm a bit surprised. So it was obviously made to be a fight, it was for the TV of course, it was for the result. Whether or not it was fair, is not up to me to decide."[109]
Fernando Alonso[edit]
Fernando Alonso, the 2nd of the lapped drivers was communicating with his race engineer Karel Loos:
Karel Loos: "So... eh... he`s not gonna allow us to unlap ourselves.”
Fernando Alonso: (with a sarcastic laugh). “Hahaha ha, understood.”
Karel Loos: "2 laps remaining."
Fernando Alonso: "Safety car has green light..."
Karel Loos: "Yup so you can overtake... overtake."
Fernando Alonso: "Yeah... but this has to be done a few laps ago... Unbelievable!"[109]
He added his thoughts about the confusion at the sudden instruction for only a few cars, but not all cars to unlap themselves:
"When the safety car was out I thought we were able to overtake quickly, because normally it is what happens," Alonso said. "You see the green light of the safety car, and then you are unlapping yourself until they remove the car. But we didn’t have that green signal, and then two laps after the engineer told me that you will not be able to unlap yourself, and the positions would stay like this. One corner later the green light came on and I said, ‘But we have a green light?’ And they said, ‘Yeah, yeah, you can do it now, follow Norris.’ And I followed Norris. So it was a little bit confusing”.[109]
Regarding the race director creating the last lap shootout, Alonso told Dutch TV station Ziggo Sport.[115]
"That was pure luck, we have to be honest about that."
Charles Leclerc[edit]
Charles Leclerc, the fourth of the lapped drivers said:
"For me, it was a bit weird because I was a bit in the middle of nowhere. We could overtake the leaders I think for just like a lap before restarting, and we were in the middle of nowhere. I was just fighting for the ninth place with Esteban, I think, just in front. But first I was told I would not be able to unlap myself, at the end at the last moment we actually had the opportunity to unlap ourselves. So yeah, it was a bit of a strange one”.[109]
Sebastian Vettel[edit]
Sebastian Vettel, the fifth lapped driver questioned his race engineer, Tim Wright, during the race, about what was going on:
Sebastian Vettel: "If Michael wants to get this race restarted, he should let us through."
Tim Wright: Lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake.Sebastian Vettel: "But, I`m lapped to Verstappen behind me. So that's basically blue flags as soon as we go?"
Tim Wright: "Yeah... confirm... confirm.
Sebastian Vettel: "Just let us through and start the race. I don`t understand why he is not letting us through. He`s just pacing this thing out.
And during the cool-down lap Vettel asked his race engineer:
"Why did they not let us go straightaway? This is what I still don’t understand... anyways... thank you I tried"[57]
In an interview after the race Vettel remarked, he got the message to unlap himself very late:
"...very late, but I think too late, they should let us pass straight away like other times. And obviously, you have the guys fighting in the front. So you've just got to clear the path. I don't know what it was. For us it was a shame because we didn't have a race then, because everything was spread out"[109] he said.
However, he also defended Masi and the stewards, commenting:
"Everyone has an opinion, I think leave the stewards alone, it's tough enough as it is. Ideally we'd like more consistency but there's also a human side, so it's probably difficult to get it 100 per cent right, but it has to be our target, so we need to see what we can improve."[116]
Daniel Ricciardo[edit]
Daniel Ricciardo in an interview after the race, he noted he was "speechless" at the instruction, especially as the decision of the race director did not allow him to also race the five-car pack, while he was on newer soft-compound tires.
"I'm honestly a bit speechless, I don't know what to make of that. I really don't. I need to see how it all came about."[109]
Lance Stroll[edit]
Lance Stroll in an interview after the race, explained:
“It was a tricky race today and we were not able to benefit from the late Safety Car, because we were not waved through to overtake, which was frustrating and I did not understand,” Stroll remarked. "It was a late chance to make up some places and potentially aim for points after we made the decision to pit again.”[117]
Two months after the race, Stroll shared further reflections on the race:
"My opinion is that it’s ridiculous that we didn’t go back racing the way we should have gone back,” Stroll remarked. “You can’t change the rules halfway through, at the end of a race, and tell half the cars they can overtake. Unfortunately, I was part of the group of the other half of the cars and couldn’t overtake on brand new soft tires with the opportunity to pass and maybe do something.
“It’s just never been done before and it’s important that we keep rules consistent. I understand it’s great to go racing and everyone wants to see the last lap of the race and the two drivers fighting for the world championship go head-to-head with one lap to go, but we can’t be making up rules at the end of a race. The rules have to be consistent. It’s important that those things are set in stone.”[118]
"I think it's important that the rules remain consistent and in Abu Dhabi there was a change in regulation, you could say, with one lap remaining. And you know the rule is when there is a safety car, all laps lapped cars get to overtake the safety car until we go racing. and you know how it all played out: half the cars can half the cars can`t, so that the two fighting for the world championship could have one more lap of racing I think it's just... it's just manipulating the rules in a way and I, I just don't think that's right. But it's done in the past and I'm sure Formula One and everyone will learn from it.[119]
George Russell[edit]
Williams F1 driver George Russell who didn't finish the race and retired earlier due to a gearbox failure, called the last lap decisions "absolutely unacceptable. I cannot believe what we’ve just seen".[120][14]
Alain Prost[edit]
Former Formula One driver and 4-time 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1993 World Champion Alain Prost reflected on the decisions by the race director in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365.com:
"What happened, for sure, was not very correct – that is obvious. Sometimes, you have a decision to make, because of television and other things, and obviously what Michael wanted to do is what all the teams ask very often – we don't want to finish a race anymore under the Safety Car... but, for sure, on the sporting side, it was not very correct."[110]
Damon Hill[edit]
1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill remarked that race control appeared to be without precedent, and decisions increasingly becoming guess work:
"This is a new way of running the sport where the Race Director can make these ad hoc decisions. Its been a bit too 'guess what I'm going to do now"[121]
Nico Rosberg[edit]
2016 Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg felt Masi "did not follow the rules", and said Christian Horner demanding "one more lap of racing" to Masi via radio was inappropriate.[122][123] But he also sympathised with Masi, commenting: "He's got the whole world watching and he has to decide in the next 15 seconds what he’s doing."[124]
Juan Pablo Montoya[edit]
Former Formula One driver and 7-time race winner, Juan Pablo Montoya gave a video interview on Motorsport.com:
"I know they wanted to get the race restarted. If you wanted to see a race on the on the green at the end of the race, that was better for the show, they should have gone with red flags straight away as soon as Latifi crashed. Pull out the red flag and get three laps of racing, instead of putting themselves in a bad situation, where they call the rules however they see fit, and Max and Red Bull took full advantage of it." "They did an amazing job, and Max did whatever he needed to do to win the championship, but at the same time, uh, I think the that's the reason Mercedes is trying to appeal the decisions, because in a way they're right. They're absolutely right, because if you read the rule book it says, that all cars need to be waived. So why do you only wave the front two cars? Is Carlos not part of the race, running 3rd? How does that work?"[125]
He continued:
"I think in a way for Lewis it was really unfair with what the stewards did, and how they handled the race. So a lot of people are saying "We miss Charlie [former F1 race director Charlie Whiting]... they were not counting on a one lap restart."
"If you are involved in F1 or you're a former Formula One driver you have a lot of questions. You see a lot of drivers. Everybody is like `Why? What happened here? Why are you only waving the people between the two guys? Why are we not all getting the right position?`"
"So they compromised just to put a good show at the end of the race, and honestly you shouldn't do that, uh, but they did, and Red Bull took a full advantage of it."[125]
Timo Glock[edit]
Former Formula One and DTM racing driver, and current Sky Germany F1 analyst Timo Glock, remarked "it felt like the FIA didn`t know its own rules.” He continued that although there was pressure for the race directors and the stewards, to make the decision, "they also have to know what the rulebook is."[126][127]
Stefan Johansson[edit]
Former Formula One driver for Ferrari, McLaren, and Ligier, and 12-time podium finisher Stefan Johansson reflected about the race on his blog page:[128]
"... my prediction was that the race would not be decided between the drivers but rather by race control, making yet another random call, as we have now seen far too often in the past seasons. This last race was just the culmination of a series of incredibly bad calls that somehow seem to have escalated as the year went on... the decisions Masi made make no sense on any level. His decision completely ignored any level of common sense as to what would have been a fair way to handle the situation. The only way it should have been done was by doing what you’d normally do and indeed what he did in the race prior. As soon as they deployed the safety car with five laps to go they should have red-flagged the race. Making the decisions he did and then changing his mind completely at the very last moment absolutely handed the race on a plate to Max and Red Bull after Lewis had done a flawless race."
He continued:
"I appreciate that race control is under a huge amount of pressure and the decisions must be made within a very short time frame, but the job of being race director is not for the faint of heart and it obviously takes a pretty special character, with a deep understanding of the dynamics of racing both from a driver’s perspective and from a team perspective. I don’t know much about the background of Masi, but it’s clear to me that he lacks a fundamental understanding of the basic dynamics of wheel-to-wheel racing and what is acceptable as far as racing lines go. Some of the moves in the past four races were disturbing and it’s hard to watch this happening in F1, which is meant to be the pinnacle of Motor Sports. Charlie [Whiting] (ex-race director) had been around the block a few times and knew every trick in the book, there’s just no way he would have allowed things to escalate to the point where we are now where every race seems to end up in controversy of some kind."[128]
Karun Chandhok[edit]
Former Formula One driver (now TV Analyst) Karun Chandhok, remarked the direction from race control was "confusing",[129] as first they stated lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake the safety car at which time Lewis Hamilton wasn't able to change his tires anymore; before changing their minds, and the Race Control said some lapped cars were allowed to overtake the safety car.
Christijan Albers[edit]
Former Dutch Formula One driver Christijan Albers commented this was not the only "confused call"[130] by Michael Masi:
“Masi seemed a bit insecure during some races,” he told De Telegraaf. “I also thought he sometimes made confused decisions. But now the emphasis is on that last round in Abu Dhabi. He played a decisive role there. And you don’t want that, because you want the championship to be decided in a beautiful and fair way.“[130] “In Abu Dhabi, in my view, Masi made a mistake by only allowing the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves", he continued. "So, I understand that Mercedes and Hamilton feel robbed."[130]
Hans-Joachim Stuck[edit]
German former March and Brabham Formula One driver Hans-Joachim Stuck gave his opinion about the controversy in an exclusive interview with Eurosport Germany:[131]
"First of all one clearly has to say that there is a need for action in the ranks of the FIA. This mess is not worthy of a world championship fight in Formula One. The fact that Mr. Masi allows the lapped cars to un-lap themselves on the last lap is nice for the fans and for Max Verstappen, who was given another chance, but the regulations state that lapped cars must first reconnect to the rear before the race can be restarted. These are all decisions that nobody can understand anymore, for me there is no stringency in them.”
Asked about the expectation of Formula One and fans to end the race under a Safety Car, the German concluded.
“That is all well and good – but then he should have done it right. only It should have happened earlier. Just like the last race in Saudi Arabia, in Abu Dhabi ad hoc decisions have been made, that were just insane. The rule interpretation was a joke. That will not do. You have to make sure that there are reasonable decisions that comply with the rules and are then used exactly as they are. Verstappen owes the title to Masi. Without the race director’s decision, he would never have been able to drive past Hamilton. You have to see it that way.”[131]
John Watson[edit]
In an interview with RacingNews365.com, former Formula One driver and 5-time Grand Prix winner John Watson weighed in:
"I understand that it would have been awful way to end the championship, if it finished under a Safety Car. But there were potentially other options, of which one, I understand, would have been to red flag it immediately, then everybody could have come into the pits, could have reloaded on fresh rubber, and restarted the race." "At least that would have been a level playing field for everybody, but the way that it unfolded made it an unlevel playing field for Lewis, and a much more favourable one for Red Bull and for Max."[132]
Speaking of Lewis Hamilton, he acknowledged
"Cheated is not the right word, but he was done out of the championship by the actions of the Race Director."[133]
Peter Windsor[edit]
Former Williams team manager and current F1 analyst Peter Windsor gave his views on the race in his weekly YouTube video analysis. Regarding the controversy, he was unhappy with how race control, handled the legal issues, and questioned the "overriding authority" of a race director, and "how much he can play around with safety car regulations":[134][135]
"Art 15.3; 48.12 and 48.13", he explained, "are all written chronologically, follow sequentially and logically top of one another and because of that they are phrased as directives and are prohibitive regulations, as distinct from variables that the race director can play around with".
"There's no doubt that according to the regulations, and the more you read them the more you see it, there was a massive mistake made in that closing lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. There's no way in the world that race should have been restarted by the safety car coming in, because there were two options:
- either Michael Masi, I guess is where you could say he has overriding control, he could correctly have said because of the time factor, because we want to get this race finished there will be no unlapping by the later cars. They'll all stay in the track position they are
- or he could have said we will have all the lap cars unlapping themselves and it will be a safety car finish but he did he actually went down the middle there and split it between the two and that's what this contention is all about."
Johnny Herbert[edit]
Former Formula One driver and 3-time Grand Prix winner, Johnny Herbert wrote in a column for "The Times":
"The FIA got it wrong and Lewis Hamilton was robbed of winning his eighth world championship title"[136]
He continued:
"FIA got it wrong, and it’s very simple. In the past, when the safety car is going to come in, all the lapped cars have been allowed to pass, not just a couple. I suppose it was all a rush to try and make this a one lap race. But it was wrong and unfair because Lewis did absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever. Red Bull had to try and play, going in to the pits for fresh tires. But for the FIA, and especially Michael [Masi, FIA race director], to muck it up so badly, just put a bad taste in your mouth once the chequered flag had gone."[136]
Regarding the unconventional, speeded-up safety car procedure at the end of the Herbert cautioned:
“The FIA needs to have a hard think about how it operates Grands Prix. This should never have happened and it should never happen again.” [137]
Martin Brundle[edit]
Three days after the race, former Formula One driver and current Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle, expressed his thoughts in a SkySports column, and laid out the race director could have chosen two options:[138]
"In hindsight, this should have been a red flag so that everyone could reset", he wrote. "The track could be cleared, and we'd have a straight final championship duel on matching tires from a standing start. However, that would set a precedent for more red flags in the future."[138]
He continued:
"Nobody wants to see a safety-car finish to any GP but there's a procedure laid out where on the last lap the safety car can take to the pitlane and without any further overtaking the field can take the chequered flag. This generates all the right images without a road car with flashing lights apparently winning the race."[138]
However, Brundle also explained he is neither making any accusations, nor is he sympathizing with anyone and Michael Masi's tough job was made harder by the F1 teams themselves:
“I can understand why Mercedes and team Hamilton feel aggrieved, just as Red Bull would have done if the race finished behind the safety car.”[138]
Narain Karthikeyan[edit]
Former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan, bemoaned the unfairness of the procedure:[139]
"How the entire situation unfolded, it seemed like they wanted Max to win. It was a great battle for the championship but what happened yesterday it wasn't sport. You need close battles in Formula One but it has to be fair at the same time... What happened was not fair."
With regards to the race director Michael Masi, he added the calls were made under tremendous pressure and "it went terribly wrong".[139]
Walter Röhrl[edit]
German rally legend, 2-time WRC World Rally Champion, and former Le Mans endurance race winner, Walter Röhrl, joined drivers and ex drivers critical of the way Michael Masi and the stewards handled race and aftermath of the final laps of the Abu Dhabi race.
"I now know, that in the future I don't have to waste a minute watching a Formula One race on television. I`d rather save it from fooling myself," he commented in an interview with the Straubinger Tagblatt.[140]
He also called for races to be decided on the track or in a "fair, clear process that is not influenced by opaque external instructions".[140]
Sébastien Ogier[edit]
FIA WRC World Rally Championship driver and 8-time WRC World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier observed:
"Hamilton was robbed, let's not be afraid to say it.[141] Even though I have a lot of respect for Max Verstappen, he had a great season but on the last weekend...Lewis dominated the race, he was ahead until the end. And unfortunately for him, a few laps from the finish, there is this famous safety car. One or the other, they were beautiful champions but on the physiognomy of this weekend, it is theft. And it's hard to swallow for Hamilton.[142]
Nyck de Vries[edit]
Dutch Formula One reserve driver Nyck de Vries in an interview remarked, although Verstappen deserved the title,
"they [FIA race control] made some decisions that were not by the book and actually came as a surprise, and that ultimately deprived him [Lewis Hamilton] of the championship.[111]
David Coulthard[edit]
Former Formula One Williams, McLaren and Red Bull driver and 13-time race winner, David Coulthard, now Channel 4 TV Commentator and Analyst, noted on BBC Breakfast the next morning, the safety car led to "a sequence of events that none of us have seen before."[143]
Social Media & Tabloids questioning race control[edit]
The incident caused outrage amongst F1 fans and the public. F1 fans called the outcome of the race “robbery”,[3][4][5] "farcical",[12] “unacceptable”,[13] "an absolute disgrace",[15] and "a manipulated”[13] race.
Within seconds of the race ending, social media exploded.[144] The controversy has been described as arguably “one of the biggest sporting scandals in history”;[16] certainly the most controversial race in Formula One's history.[17][18][19]
Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team[edit]
The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team tweeted "There are no words."[145]
Susie Wolff[edit]
Susie Wolff, CEO of Formula E team Venturi Racing and ex-Formula One test driver for Williams:
“What happened is still hard to comprehend and leaves me with a sick feeling. “Not the losing...but the way in which Lewis was robbed has left me in utter disbelief. The decision of one person within the governing body who applied a rule in a way which has never been done before in F1, single-handedly decided the F1 drivers’ world championship. Rules are rules, they can’t be changed on a whim by one individual at the end of a race.”[146]
Nicolas Hamilton[edit]
Nicolas Hamilton, British racing driver and younger brother of Lewis Hamilton:
"The FIA broke their own rules, which is a disgrace to our whole sport. Nevertheless, regardless of being mistreated today, the Hamilton’s were humble in defeat. My father, the guy who raised us, congratulating Max & his father Jos."[147]
Alexander Rossi[edit]
Alexander Rossi, IndyCar driver:
"Obviously @Max33Verstappen deserved it just as much this year, buttttt I don’t love any of the way that went down."[148]
William Darrell Wallace Jr. ("Bubba Wallace")[edit]
William Darrell Wallace Jr. (also known as Bubba Wallace), NASCAR driver and race winner:
"Wtf was that?!?"[149]
James Hinchcliffe[edit]
James Hinchcliffe, Canadian IndyCar driver, and 6-time race winner:
“Man, racing is wild when Netflix is making the calls”[150]
Danica Patrick[edit]
Danica Patrick, American race car driver and IndyCar race winner (responding to James Hinchcliffe):
" totally! Def didn’t seem fair but exciting to watch!"[151]
JJ Watt[edit]
JJ Watt, American Football/ NFL player:
"that was insanity"[152]
Heather Watson[edit]
Heather Watson, British Tennis player:
"I’m no F1 expert, but @LewisHamilton was robbed… what on earth just happened!?"[153]
Gary Lineker[edit]
Gary Lineker, English former professional footballer, and current BBC Sports presenter:
"What a joke. That stinks."[154]
"Imagine Man City and Liverpool going toe to toe for the title. On the last day of the season they meet & City are 3 up with just minutes to go. The referee decides it would be more exciting to have a penalty shootout. What’s more the City players have to be barefooted. That’s @F1"[155]
Harry Kane[edit]
Harry Kane, English Football player:
"I’m new to F1 and it’s been amazing to watch Lewis and Max battle it out. I’m no expert on it but I feel like there’s some bizarre rules that give an unfair advantage like today ? Why should Hamilton be penalised for somebody else’s crash?"[156]
Jermaine Jenas[edit]
Jermaine Jenas, retired professional English football player and BBC host:
"You know what as much as I love @F1 there’s so much crap they need to sort out! That was a complete robbery for @LewisHamilton"[157]
Usman Khawaja[edit]
Usman Khawaja, Australian Cricket player:
"That is the biggest mistake in F1 history."[158]
Tim Bresnan[edit]
Tim Bresnan, English Cricket player:
"I like both drivers and both teams. But surely that wasn't right. Speechless"[159]
Martin Lewis[edit]
- Martin Lewis, Founder of MoneySavingsExpert.com:
"That was incredible. Doesn't seem fair. @LewisHamilton will feel robbed, so far ahead, then penalised due to the safety car and seemingly arbitrary decisions (feels a bit like politics right now) Unbelievable. #formule1"[160]
Rob Myers[edit]
Rob Myers, Twitter Formula One blogger:
"I was prepared to give Verstappen his due if he won today. Not like this. This is a disgrace. Absolutely disgusting. Totally manufactured. Sickening. I have no words".[161]
"Masi makes the rules up as he goes along. Why bother with all of the sporting and technical regulations when you have a Race Director who does whatever he likes? Farcical...".[162]
Kevin Clark[edit]
Kevin Clark, Journalist & Sports Video Podcaster from "The Ringer" Sports website:
"F1 is finally appealing to America by learning from the most popular American sports and making up literally every rule as they go along."[163]
Adil Ray[edit]
Adil Ray, British actor, radio presenter, writer, and comedian:
"It`s like a football team winning 5:0, it comes to the last minute of the game, there is an injury by a player or spectator, the game gets stopped. It gets restarted, and it`s `next goal wins`".[164]
Dan Walker[edit]
Dan Walker, English journalist, newsreader, and BBC Breakfast TV Host:
"Whoever you wanted to win… that is an absolute farce of a finish #F1Finale"[165]
Ed Aarons
Ed Aarons, Deputy News Editor Guardian Sports:
"What a farce in the F1 by the way. Talk about manufacturing drama…"[166]
Jeremy Clarkson[edit]
Jeremy Clarkson, English broadcaster, journalist, and writer:
"That stewards’ decision is wrong."[167] "Delighted with the result but the stewards need to be banned. We’ve had enough of them."[168]
Piers Morgan[edit]
Piers Morgan, English journalist, and television host:
"I don't know what I've just watched but it can't be right. Hamilton's been robbed, surely?"[169]
Nick Knowles[edit]
Nick Knowles, English television presenter:
"It was ruined by the FIA and Michael Masi That was the most manipulated result in the history of F1 Congrats to Max who is a great driver and Red bull a great team but this race and championship will be remembered for how the win was manufactured by officials Mercedes are right"[170]
Dan Amenyah[edit]
Dan Amenyah, FIFA football streamer:
“Tell them lapped cars are NOT allowed to overtake”... “Now tell them they can ”[171]
Rick Allen[edit]
Rick Allen NASCAR commentator:
"Unbelievable how they changed the rules at the end of the race!"[172]
Further reactions[173] accused the FIA of "blatant corruption",[174] alleging "F1’s desperation for drama saw rules bent in attempt to ‘contrive’ reality TV finish",[175] and dismayed F1 fans[176] generating hashtags such as "#Masigate",[7] "#F1Fixed",[177] "#F1xed",[178] "#LewisWasRobbed",[179] on Twitter,[180][181] Reddit[182][183] and TikTok[184] in the aftermath of the controversy.
Since the conclusion of the race and the championship, F1 fans have lost trust in the governing body of Formula One. This became especially clear following a statement the FIA`s World Motor Sport Council released four days after the race[185] in which the FIA appeared to imply the events during the last lap of the race, had "generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula One teams, drivers and fans".[185][186]
A presumed lack of further details into inquiries, about how this "scandal" was allowed to happen, and a perceived absence of willingness to resolve this matter quickly,[187] has been met with resentment.[188] As a consequence, there were calls for the FIA to fire the race director before 18 March 2022, the start of the new 2022 Formula One season, to prevent controversies such as this from happening again in the future.[189]
Reactions supportive of race control[edit]
Max Verstappen[edit]
After the race Max Verstappen commented: "Finally a bit of luck for me".[190]
Christian Horner[edit]
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner remarked after the race: “I think we felt the decision at the beginning of the race went against us and the decision at the end of the race was right,” Horner said.
“Max was finally due a bit of luck and Latifi causing that safety car just gave us the opportunity and after Silverstone, Budapest, and Azerbaijan, he felt his luck wasn’t with him today he had a bit of luck, it came at the right time and he had to make it happen.”
Horner also defended race director Michael Masi, who came under scrutiny for how he had handled the restart procedure.
“I think he made the right decision,” Horner said. “He followed the rules procedure if you look at the rules available to him and he’s made the right call today. We’ve always discussed throughout about ‘Let them race’ and about getting the races re-going, and he’s done that today”.[191]
Alexander Albon[edit]
Former Thai-British Formula One driver and current reserve driver for Red Bull Alexander Albon, told the Netherland Motorsport Magazine he understood both sides of the story, but he also believed the result was a result of "deserved Karma".[192]
Gerhard Berger[edit]
Former F1 driver and 10-times race winner Gerhard Berger praised Michael Masi in the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, as having done a good job not only in Abu Dhabi but the entire year.[193]
"He has a pragmatic approach and tries to find solutions, but I don't think he's doing anything that's not allowed. Masi made a different decision, but not to help anyone, but to give the fans a sportingly one last lap to decide the fight. For the fans, that's the right thing to do and he gets to do it."[194]
John Stewart ("Jackie Stewart")[edit]
Former Formula One driver and 3-time World Champion Jackie Stewart commented regarding the controversial decisions:
"Well, whatever way it worked out, it happened and we should just be very proud of our season, it’s been a fantastic season,” the three-time world champion told Eurosport on Sunday at Yas Marina Circuit.
Mika Häkkinen[edit]
Former Formula One driver and 2-time World Champion Mika Häkkinen supported Masi's directive to arbitrarily shorten the safety car procedure for a final lap shoot out:
"I think it would have been much worse if this World Championship had finished behind a Safety Car," the Finn wrote in his post-race column for Unibet. "That really would have been such an anti-climax. The Race Director's decision, later supported by the four stewards, is based on his understanding of the rules including his responsibility for deciding when the Safety Car returns to the pits."[195]
Romain Grosjean[edit]
Former Formula One driver Romain Grosjean claimed the decision was a "bad call for Lewis, but great for the TV spectacle."[196]
Andreas Seidl[edit]
McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl, suggested Masi's role should be understood in the context of an intense title battle and appreciated.[197]
Mattia Binotto[edit]
Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto defended Masi, saying "his job was the most difficult job on the planet at that time."[198]
Norbert Haug[edit]
In the direct aftermath of Abu Dhabi's race and the surrounding controversy around the race director, former vice president of Mercedes-Benz motorsport and 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race driver Norbert Haug, gave his opinion to the RedBull-owned TV station Servus TV, claiming "Michael Masi was ingenious and brilliant in finding a solution." Regarding the protests of Mercedes, he advised his former employer: "Sh!t happens... but there comes a time to show dignity, and keep your mouth shut."[199][200]
Reactions by the International Press[edit]
Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad remarked luck had played throughout the season, and it wasn't Verstappen's fault his win had "become tainted with controversy."[201]
Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant pointed out a Formula One race director is under immense pressure to make snap decisions, and therefore expressed sympathy with Masi.[202]
BBC chief Formula One writer Andrew Benson headlined the race report: "'Max Verstappen's win decided by a questionable call'"[143] and further commented what happened in the last lap "was unprecedented, observers - drivers and team members - were baffled. What happened is not the way things are normally dealt with". He continued with: "The world championship had changed hands - as a result of a questionable call from the race director".[143]
Motorsport Magazine editor Joe Dunn, opined in his editorial,[19] the race directors "almighty cock-up gifted race and title to Max Verstappen" and the racing stewards "artificial intervention" illustrated a deeper and growing problem within Formula One; the desire to have entertaining, nail-biting, last lap race finishes for TV, at the cost of the integrity of the sport. He concluded the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will go down as "a day of infamy in the sport’s history".[19]
Formula One journalist for "The Race" Scott Mitchell commented since Masi's appointment in 2019, drivers and teams have been unhappy with how the FIA had begun to interpret regulations, and the Abu Dhabi situation was the culmination.[203]
Matt Dickinson with The Times suggested FIA should thoroughly review the officiating process. However, he also rejected complaints that race controls decision were made for entertainment. He stated, "rules in sport are contrived — and frequently tweaked to make a sport more entertaining — and we should not pretend there is only one perspective of justice, or that sport is an endless pursuit of fairness."[204] He also pointed out, the protests of injustice were coming from a British point of view; fans in other parts of the world did not believe Masi's calls had been unfair to Hamilton.[204]
German newsweekly DER SPIEGEL called the ending of the race "not normal" and "the race control confusing",[205]
Another German Newspaper "Die WELT" headlined the "The race director caused a split in F1" and "deeply interfered in the title race, with his decisions"[206]
German Automobile Magazine "Auto Motor und Sport" commented on the instruction only to unlap five drivers, Masi made a decision "for the Sport", and "a team sometimes wins, and sometimes loses".[207]
French Auto magazine Autohebdo headlined Michael Masi's decision: "A nasty trick by Masi in Abu Dhabi",[208] that "condemned Lewis Hamilton and led to his downfall.[208]
Jack Austin on American Fox Sports commented Formula One "engineered" a finish to increase viewer excitement.[39]
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic mirrored this view, and surmised Masi's race directions were to ensure "Netflix gets another juicy storyline for the next season of Drive to Survive". Bianchi also questioned the race director's capability of officiating Formula One races.[209]
Andrew Lawrence of the sports website "The Undefeated" gave his commentary: "Lewis Hamilton was robbed",[210] he started:
"Masi had so many better options at his disposal than what he ultimately chose. He could have stopped the race entirely to clear the crash wreckage, which would’ve given Hamilton and Verstappen an opportunity to swap for new tires and set up a fair duel. Or Masi could’ve let the race finish behind the safety car and left the running order unchanged, a tack he took earlier this season when rain overwhelmed the Belgian Grand Prix. Instead, Masi stacked the deck for Verstappen... Had the Abu Dhabi race ended fair and square, we all know who comes out on top."[210]
Chris Medland, an editor for the "Racer" racing website, concluded: "...never has a more brilliant season been destroyed so easily."[211]
FIA inquiry[edit]
In a statement released on 15 December 2021, the FIA announced it would investigate the race to determine what went wrong and whether any changes should be made to the safety car procedure.[212]
According to the FIA, the review began in January 2022 and is expected to be completed by February 2022.[213] In the same statement, the FIA noted: "misunderstandings" between teams, drivers, and fans "tarnished the image" of the World Drivers' Championship.[214][215]
Scott Mitchell from the Motorsport Magazine "The RACE" criticised the FIA's initial December statement in response to the controversy for its suggestion, fans had "misunderstood" the events that occurred at the end of the Grand Prix, for its odd phrasing and attempt to shift blame.[216]
In an interview released on 17 December 2021, newly elected FIA President[217] Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated he was considering making changes in the future to prevent such controversy, including the possibility of removing Masi from his role as Formula One race director. However, he said he wanted to get as much information as possible, what happened in Abu Dhabi before making any final decisions.[218]
As of 13 January 2022, the FIA indicated communicated it was contemplating making changes to safety car procedures as well as its internal operational structure within Formula One after consulting with all ten Formula One teams on "various issues," including a discussion of the Abu Dhabi events.
The FIA's Sporting Advisory Committee will discuss the matter of changing the safety car procedure in a meeting scheduled for 19 January 2022. Any changes agreed upon should be disclosed at a meeting held by the commission in February 2022, before being ratified by the FIA's World Motorsport Council on 18 March 20, two days before the opening round of the 2022 Formula One World Championship.[219]
Nevertheless, the editors of Motorsport Magazine "The RACE" predicted FIA will confirm the decision was technically correct and within the rules, but there will be some regulatory changes as a compromise.[220]
Growing outrage January 2022[edit]
The Abu Dhabi controversy has been an ongoing topic in Formula One for the past three months.
Beginning of January, reports started emerging, within the FIA there was initially a sense the issue would go away as time passed, and as the issue continued going on, they might have underestimated the gravity of the situation, and what had occurred in Abu Dhabi.[221]
The BBC reported on 11 January 2022, Hamilton's future in the sport, was pending on the outcome of FIA's upcoming investigation into the events of the race. The BBC also reported the Formula One paddock was expecting the FIA to take significant action as a result of the race, including the replacement of Masi as FIA race director.[222]
Beginning of January 2022, BBC also reported Mercedes had dropped its appeal against the results in a quid pro quo exchange, one in which Masi and Formula One technical director Nikolas Tombazis would not have their positions in the 2022 season. It was thought, Tombazis' latest amendments to the 2021 technical regulations were intended to curb Mercedes' dominance. However, Mercedes denied any such deal was made.[223][224]
Additionally, it was reported Wolff would meet privately with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to discuss the way forward from the incident, including Masi's future.[225]
The BBC furthermore reported Sulayem is expected to engage in similar discussions on future governance with the other nine team principals following his private talks with Wolff and FIA Secretary General Peter Bayer, will lead the FIA's inquiry and meet with driver representatives, to assess the matter of inconsistent stewards decisions, and their negative impact on driving standards; especially with what many drivers discerned to be quite a lenient attitude by Masi and race stewards towards Verstappen's driving during the 2021 season, particularly following incidents in the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix[lower-alpha 6] and the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.[lower-alpha 7][228]
January 14, 2022, one month after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sky Sports F1 held an "F1 show special - Abu Dhabi: One month on"[229] video conferenced panel, hosted by Sky Sports F1 Simon Lazenby on the events and ongoing controversy, with the Sky Sports F1 analysts and pit lane reporters Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, Martin Brundle, David Croft, Ted Kravitz, Rachel Brookes, Craig Slater, Karun Chandhok, and Anthony Davidson. in which new, previously unreleased team radio footages were also revealed, showing the extent of the chaos during the last few laps of the race.
Both Martin Brundle and race commentator David Croft admitted: "mistakes were made". Brundle emphasized a race director "can`t freestyle regulations", because teams are planning race strategies based on the rules, as they are written. However, he maintained he didn't believe there was a conspiracy, malice, or fixing the race, certainly not as there was no "good evidence".[229]
Damon Hill and Karun Chandhok contended Michael Masi had 3 options: "Ending the race under a safety car, or not allowing any cars to unlap themselves and then maybe get one lap in, or to red flag the race like the one we had in Baku. But that wasn`t the choice that he took".[229]
Hill pointed out the actions of race control "allowed some cars to unlap themselves, but not others, now that in itself is unfair, because what it resulted with is a focus on the two title protagonists, and I don't think you can run a motor race or a championship like that. You have to apply the rules equally to all competitors".[229] However Damon Hill also made it clear "manipulated was too strong a word" to describe the ending of the race.
Anthony Davidson added an important viewpoint to the debate, by explaining the actions of race control, were also unfair on the cars who are racing those other five cars who were allowed to overtake the safety car. "In my opinion, if I'd been one of those drivers watching that group of cars overtake, I would have been gutted. They are more than just two people in that race, don't forget", he contended. However, he also clarified Hamilton wasn't robbed of the championship, because Verstappen himself had lots of bad luck in Baku and Hungary, but Lewis was definitely robbed of the race win in Abu Dhabi.[229]
Rachel Brookes suggested the outrage of Formula One fans was mainly because a Formula One team couldn't plan for a mid-race regulation change or a sudden new interpretation of the regulations, and Formula One fans were now concerned and asking, if entertainment was getting more important to a race director, than the sporting competition.[229]
Ted Kravitz pushed back at the notion Michael Masi had to make a decision within a few seconds. He pointed out there were four minutes between 18:27 PM and 18:31 PM, between the race directors message cars wouldn't be able allowed to overtake, and when the race director changed his mind and allowed only five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
He suggested FIA in its investigation would need to investigate what exactly happened within those four minutes, for Formula One fans to regain their trust in the integrity and credibility of Formula One. He also stressed the FIA would need to invest why the race director changed his mind or if someone else convinced him to change his mind.[229]
Regarding the question, if the race director could survive this scandal: Johnny Herbert believed he couldn't, because he had done "too much damage" to Formula One, and because the teams and the fans had lost trust in him. Sky News Sports reporter Craig Slater reported although teams have invested a lot into Michael Masi, at the moment it was hard to imagine Masi still being race director at the beginning of the season, as his position had become "untenable".
Damon Hill believed Masi had "learned his lesson" and Masi simply needed help and backup to do his job. Martin Brundle did not believe just getting rid of Masi would solve all of Formula One's credibility problems.[230]
On 17 January 2022, Zak Brown cited the Abu Dhabi controversy, and cancellation of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix at the last minute, as well as the handling of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix as signs the FIA has had organization and rule-making issues for a significant period and needs of a major overhaul.[231]
Formula One journalist Mark Hughes observed Hamilton's silence since Abu Dhabi echoed Ayrton Senna's 1989 and 1990 feud with the governing body after those championship deciders.[232]
Intensifying calls to remove Michael Masi[edit]
With regards to the FIA race director, the video leaked on 9 February 2022 has renewed calls for Michael Masi to be relieved of his duties as race director. The conversations between Michael Masi and Jonathan Wheatley have raised further questions,[233][234] as it has been widely regarded as a team manager, suggesting the outcome of a race to a race director,.[235][236]
BBC reporting suggested, that Masi was expected to take on a new role within the FIA, with sources reporting he may likely become a safety delegate.[237] On 14 February 2022, the FIA announced it would unveil an 'action plan' on structural changes within its organisation following its investigation and a meeting of the F1 Commission.[238]
Later that week, the FIA announced DTM - Deutsche Tourenwagon Masters race director Niels Wittich and WEC - World Endurance Championship race director Eduardo Freitas would be new race Formula One directors, splitting the role. Deputy Race Director veteran of 20 years, Michael ("Herbie") Blash, was appointed as "Permanent Senior Advisor" for Wittich and Freitas.[239]
Michael Masi was dropped from his position of Formula One race director.[240][241]
See also[edit]
- List of sporting scandals#Motorsport and Racing scandals
- Tyrrell Racing#1984 controversy
- 1994 Formula One cheating controversy
- 2007 Formula One espionage controversy (also known as "Spygate")
- 2007 NASCAR Gatorade Duel scandal
- Renault Formula One crash controversy, ("Crashgate")
- 2013 Federated Auto Parts 400, ("Spingate")
- 2019 Ford EcoBoost 400
Notes[edit]
- ↑ Sergio Perez temporarily led the race for 5 laps, when Lewis Hamilton got new tires, and Perez waited for 5 laps, before changing his tires.
- ↑ After the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, race director Michael Masi had made it clear that the reason why the safety car period took very long, was because all lapped cars had to unlap themselves: ”There’s a requirement in the sporting regulations to wave all the lapped cars past,” he told Motorsport Week. "From that point, it was position six onwards that were still running [on the lead lap], so between 10 or 11 cars had to unlap themselves. “Therefore the safety car period was a bit longer than what we would have normally expected.”[49]
- ↑ The radio messages did not gain widespread attention, until it was picked up by several media outlets in February 2022, because the footage was initially only available to paid subscribers of the F1 TV Pro channel, mid December 2021, and four days later on the Formula One YouTube channel: “The Dramatic Climax To The Title Showdown / RADIO UNWIND / 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix".[60]
- ↑ As lawyer, Duncan Bagshaw, barrister at Howard Kennedy specialising in international arbitration and litigation, commented in The Guardian prior to the revocation of their appeal, Mercedes would be in a strong position to mount legal action, and that the rules made it very clear that any cars that have been lapped by the leader have to be allowed to pass the leading cars and the safety car before the race is restarted and the race director did not allow that to happen.[96]
- ↑ A second lawyer, also representing Mercedes, Nicholas Bamber, an associate in regulatory and commercial dispute resolution at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, legal opinion suggested that Mercedes` protest has "good grounds to challenge the decision to reject their protest”. The interpretation that article 15.3 gives the race director carte blanche to control the use of the safety car, overriding the procedure for the safety car stipulated at Article 48.12, seemed – on its face – to be inconsistent with a plain language view of the regulations, and also directly contradicted Michael Masi’s approach in similar circumstances at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix. The lawyer also added, this could also be considered a breach of Article 1.1.1 of the 2021 FIA International Sporting Code, which makes it clear that the regulations are to be enforced ‘based on the fundamental principles of safety and sporting fairness’, and that part of sporting fairness revolves around consistency of application of the rules of the sport.[97]
- ↑ While Lewis Hamilton tried to overtake his rival Max Verstappen in turn 4 of the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix Verstappen appeared to push Lewis Hamilton wide to prevent the overtake. In an unexpected move, neither the race director, nor the racing stewards investigated the incident.”[226]
- ↑ While Lewis Hamilton was racing his rival Max Verstappen on the back straight of the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Verstappen appeared to break in the middle of straight, forcing Lewis Hamilton wide. Hamilton's car suffered a front wing damage due to this incident. Although braking on a straight was a very dangerous incident, observers felt that the 10 second penalty Verstappen received was lenient.[227]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Red Bull on Abu Dhabi scandal: 'It's really important the FIA do their investigation'". www.gptoday.com. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ Uhr, 08 41; Dezember 2021, 15 (2021-12-15). "Nach Skandal im WM-Finale: Boxen-Funk in der Formel 1 soll abgedreht werden". www.kleinezeitung.at (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Susie Wolff: Hamilton F1 title 'robbery' leaves me feeling sick". The Race. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bhargava, Yakshpat. ""Robbery! Gave the Championship to Verstappen": Twitter lashes onto FIA after season finale ends in controversial manner in Abu Dhabi » FirstSportz". firstsportz.com. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Samuel L. Jackson: "Lewis, our brother, was robbed"". Silver Arrows Net. 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ "Formula 1". F1 TV. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Twitter: "Masigate"".
- ↑ Amako, Uche (2021-12-13). "Who is Michael Masi? The man at the centre of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen F1 title row". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ "The story of Red Bull celebrations and Mercedes anger". MARCA. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Was the safety car called to the pits even before the track was safe? - Racing Elite Formula 1, Motorsport, Racing". Racing Elite. 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Hamilton felt Abu Dhabi GP was "manipulated" in unplayed radio message". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Woodhouse, Jamie (2021-12-17). "Jolyon Palmer: Michael Masi dithering created farcical decision". PlanetF1. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "F1 – Abu Dhabi : une fin de course "inacceptable", "manipulée" ?". Auto moto : magazine auto et moto (in français). 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "George Russels Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 161385360554578 (2021-12-13). "Abu Dhabi GP LIVE: Mercedes appeals REJECTED with Verstappen confirmed as winner". talkSPORT. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "F1 controversy 2021: Key moments that decided Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". The Independent. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Wolff: No interest in talking to race director Masi". ESPN.com. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "La FIA réagit après le très controversé GP d'Abou Dhabi". F1only.fr - l'actu de la F1 en 2022 (in français). 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 "F1's sink or swim moment after Muddle in the Marina: The Editor". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ Chokhani, Darshan (2021-12-23). "Newey says Red Bull had a quicker car on balance over 2021 season". FormulaRapida.net. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ "Marko: Red Bull have the best car, engine and driver". GRAND PRIX 247. 2021-07-07. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ Osten, Phillip van (2021-11-13). "Horner still baffled by 'mind-boggling' Mercedes top speed". F1i.com. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
- ↑ "Marko: Mercedes has a masterpiece rocket engine". GRAND PRIX 247. 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
- ↑ ""We no longer have an engine advantage"– How Red Bull forced Mercedes to seek answers in chassis - The SportsRush". The SportsRush. 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
- ↑ "Horner admits Red Bull 'need a miracle' to win constructors' championship in Abu Dhabi | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ "Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory". The Independent. 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton tied on F1 points and heading into title-deciding Sunset Showdown". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "'Hamilton v Verstappen - it could end in a messy situation'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "From Silverstone to Saudi Arabia, this season's clashes in F1 title race". The Independent. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ "The most controversial F1 deciders: 1990 Japan, 1994 Australia & more". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "Tensions rise between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen before F1 decider". the Guardian. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "The most controversial F1 deciders: 1990 Japan, 1994 Australia & more". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Wilde, Jon (2021-12-12). "Race: Max Verstappen clinches Formula 1 title in remarkable Abu Dhabi GP finale". PlanetF1. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "Verstappen steals title from Hamilton amid huge late drama". RacingNews365. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ↑ "Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen takes F1 title from Lewis Hamilton on final lap after late controversy". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA. "FIA International Sporting Code" (PDF).
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA. "2021 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations" (PDF).
- ↑ "Uproar as Verstappen wins F1 title on final lap: 2021 Abu Dhabi GP report". Motor Sport Magazine. 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 "How F1's desperation for drama saw rules bent in attempt to 'contrive' reality TV finish". Fox Sports. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ↑ Slater, Luke (2021-12-13). "Safety cars, furious radio calls and Michael Masi's intervention: How controversial F1 final lap unfolded". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ "What Formula 1's safety car restart rules say". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 Llewellyn, Liam (2022-02-09). "FIA investigating fresh radio messages casting doubt on Abu Dhabi title decider". mirror. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ "2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Tyre Performance Analysis". f1chronicle.com. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ "What Formula 1's safety car restart rules say". MSN. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 "Analysis: The four minutes that changed the destiny of the 2021 world championship · RaceFans". RaceFans. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "This is getting manipulated - How late F1 drama played out over radio". 13 December 2021.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 47.5 Slater, Luke (2021-12-13). "Safety cars, furious radio calls and Michael Masi's intervention: How controversial F1 final lap unfolded". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "FIA. Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 8 December 2021. pp. 12, 50–51" (PDF). 2021 FORMULA ONE SPORTING REGULATIONS.
- ↑ Walsh, Fergal (14 December 2021). "Mercedes have 'good legal basis' for appeal over Abu Dhabi GP – lawyer". MotorSportWeek. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ Watson, Fraser (2021-12-13). "Unearthed Masi comments show Hamilton decision went against F1 chief's rules". mirror. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "Does This Prove Lewis Hamilton Was a Victim of Michael Masi's Double-Standards in Abu Dhabi?". EssentiallySports. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ↑ "Masi explains reason for late Eifel GP Safety Car". Motorsport Week. 2020-10-13. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 "What Formula 1's safety car restart rules say". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
- ↑ Coleman, Madeline. "Max Verstappen's World Title: How a Grueling Battle Turned Into a Dream Come True". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 "'Why am I here?': Ricciardo reacts after getting surprise view of Max's 'crazy' F1 win". Fox Sports. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ "The questionable FIA logic a Mercedes appeal may target". The Race. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 F1 Fanatic (17 December 2021). "Masi was wrong: Unbroadcast F1 team radio from the final laps in Abu Dhabi".
- ↑ "Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 – Race Result". Formula1.com. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Formula 1 Etihad Airwaus Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 – Fastest Laps". Formula1.com. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "The Dramatic Climax To The Title Showdown / RADIO UNWIND / 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". F1 YouTube Channel. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ "FIA aware of new radio messages". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ New audio suggests Michael Masi gave Red Bull exactly what they asked for, retrieved 2022-02-11
- ↑ O'Donoghue, Conor. "Leaked Abu Dhabi Audio Shows F1 Director Masi was influenced By Red Bull in F1 finale". The Irish Post. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ "'Hugely unacceptable': Damning audio exposes Aussie in 'uncomfortable' F1 title twist". Fox Sports. 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ "Martin Brundle: Michael Masi-Red Bull audio at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 'really uncomfortable'". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ "Inside the Abu Dhabi GP: How F1 crowned Verstappen world champion... twice". ESPN.com. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "What next for F1 after questionable race direction at Abu Dhabi?". www.f1technical.net. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "Why F1's 2021 Season Finale Was The Most Controversial In The Sports History". HotCars. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "F1 controversy 2021: Key moments that decided Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". The Independent. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ↑ "La FIA réagit après le très controversé GP d'Abou Dhabi". F1only.fr - News F1 en direct (in français). 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ↑ Press, Associated (2021-12-16). "FIA to review controversial F1 Abu Dhabi finale after 'tarnished' title image". MotorSportsTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
- ↑ "The story of Red Bull celebrations and Mercedes anger". MARCA. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ↑ "Mercedes have "good legal basis" for appeal over Abu Dhabi GP - lawyer · RaceFans". RaceFans. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
- ↑ 74.0 74.1 "The safety car regulations that Michael Masi ignored to 'go racing' at the end of Abu Dhabi GP". Motor Sport Magazine. 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
- ↑ "Breaking: Mercedes launch protests over Abu Dhabi GP result after Safety Car-affected race end". Formula1. Formula One Group. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Decision – Mercedes Protest Art. 48.8" (PDF). FIA. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Stewards dismiss Mercedes protest for Verstappen overtaking behind safety car". Autosport. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ 78.0 78.1 Wood, Ida (12 December 2021). "Verstappen's Abu Dhabi win and title thrown in doubt as Mercedes lodge two protests". RaceFans. Collantine Media. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 79.0 79.1 Woodhouse, Jamie (12 December 2021). "Toto Wolff urges Michael Masi to reinstate Lewis Hamilton as Abu Dhabi GP winner". PlanetF1. Planet Sport Network. Retrieved 12 December 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 Morlidge, Matt (13 December 2021). "Max Verstappen confirmed as F1 champion after Mercedes protests rejected at Abu Dhabi GP". Sky Sports. Sky Group. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Richards, Giles (13 December 2021). "Lewis Hamilton says FIA 'manipulated' last-lap showdown in radio message". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ↑ Collantine, Keith (14 December 2021). "Mercedes have 'good legal basis' for appeal over Abu Dhabi GP – lawyer". RaceFans. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ↑ 83.0 83.1 83.2 "Full FIA stewards' verdict on Mercedes protest over Abu Dhabi GP race restart". Autosport.com. Motorsport Network. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ "Event&Timing Information". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ "2021 Formula One sporting regulations" (PDF). FIA. Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 8 December 2021. pp. 12, 50–51.
- ↑ Benson, Andrew (12 December 2021). "Mercedes protests rejected by Formula 1 stewards as title goes to Max Verstappen". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Decision – Mercedes Protest Art. 48.12" (PDF). FIA. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Full FIA stewards' verdict on Mercedes protest over Abu Dhabi GP race restart". Autosport.com. Motorsport Network. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Stewards dismiss Mercedes' Abu Dhabi Grand Prix protests, as team lodge intention to appeal". Formula1. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Decision – Mercedes Protest Art. 48.8" (PDF). FIA. Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Stewards dismiss Mercedes' Abu Dhabi Grand Prix protests, as team lodge intention to appeal". FIA. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "F1 live news: Mercedes won't appeal Abu Dhabi result, will push for changes; Verstappen remains F1 champion; Hamilton's F1 future questioned". The Athletic. The New York Times Company. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Noble, Jonathon (16 December 2021). "Mercedes F1 team withdraws Abu Dhabi GP appeal". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 16 December 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Benson, Andrew (16 December 2021). "Mercedes will not pursue appeal against F1 title-deciding Abu Dhabi result". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Mercedes "almost guaranteed" of legal win against FIA in 'regular court'". Crash. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
- ↑ Richards, Giles (13 December 2021). "Lewis Hamilton says FIA 'manipulated' last-lap showdown in radio message". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ↑ Collantine, Keith (14 December 2021). "Mercedes have 'good legal basis' for appeal over Abu Dhabi GP – lawyer". RaceFans. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ↑ Horton, Phillip (16 December 2021). "Mercedes' Wolff Hopes 'Disillusioned' Lewis Hamilton Doesn't Quit F1 Over Abu Dhabi Debacle". Autoweek. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ↑ Warwick, Derek. "FIA Race Stewards Biographies" (PDF). Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ 100.0 100.1 "Twitter message".
- ↑ 101.0 101.1 "Twitter message".
- ↑ "Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Analysis". Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ Warwick, Derek. "Derek Warwick Honda Jersey".
- ↑ "Honda's plan to win the 2021 F1 title with a 2022 engine". The Race. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ "F1 Has a Racism Problem, and Derrick Warwick is the Perfect Example". www.getrevue.co. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ Chequered Flag podcast from the BBC, 3:18 min (2016-06-09), Chequered Flag Formula 1 20160609 Canadian Grand Prix Preview [ Canadian Grand Prix Preview], retrieved 2022-02-11
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- ↑ Warwick, Derek (20 December 2021). "Twitter page". Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ 109.0 109.1 109.2 109.3 109.4 109.5 109.6 109.7 "F1 drivers left confused by "made for TV" safety car unlapping call". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ 110.0 110.1 "Prost: FIA face 'very, very big challenge' to tidy up F1's rules". RacingNews365. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ↑ 111.0 111.1 GPfans.com. "Hamilton title defeat "a very bad thing" but Verstappen "a very worthy world champion"". GPfans. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ 112.0 112.1 "F1 drivers left confused by "made for TV" safety car unlapping call". Autosport. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ "Hamilton felt Abu Dhabi GP was "manipulated" in unplayed radio message". Autosport. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ "WATCH: 'I'm just speechless' – Onboard with Lewis Hamilton after the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ "Alonso happy for Verstappen: 'It's a little bit of justice'". www.gpblog.com. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ Valantine, Henry (13 December 2021). "Vettel thinks race stewards should be left alone". PlanetF1. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ↑ "F1 drivers "don't understand" confusing Safety Car unlapping decision". Crash. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ "Stroll: Ridiculous Abu Dhabi shows rules must be set in stone". The Race. 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ↑ Vettel & Stroll discuss Aston Martin's new 2022 car, Michael Masi & Lewis' return!, retrieved 2022-02-11
- ↑ Harding, Jonathan (12 December 2021). "Formula One: Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to win world championship in Abu Dhabi". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 15 December 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Baldwin, Alan (13 December 2021). "F1 decider puts Masi in spotlight and raises big questions". Reuters. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ↑ ""This is a new way of running the sport": Former F1 Champion slams FIA Race Director Michael Masi for being inconsistent with his verdicts throughout the 2021 season". The SportsRush. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ "'Didn't follow the rules': F1 mess explained after 'unacceptable' call". Fox Sports. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ Foster, Michelle (13 December 2021). "Nico Rosberg weighs in on Abu Dhabi controvery, feels for Michael Masi". PlanetF1. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ↑ 125.0 125.1 Formula 1: Montoya reacts to Abu Dhabi GP - Formula 1 Videos, retrieved 2022-01-27
- ↑ "Formel 1 News: Sky Experte Timo Glock kritisiert FIA nach Saisonfinale in Abu Dhabi". Sky Sport (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ Valantine, Henry (2021-12-13). "Timo Glock: 'It feels like the FIA doesn't know its own rules'". PlanetF1. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ 128.0 128.1 Johansson ·, Stefan. "#115 - Season Finale". Stefan Johansson H3. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
- ↑ World, Republic. "Ex-F1 driver explains how Verstappen vs Hamilton battle could have avoided controversy". Republic World. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ 130.0 130.1 130.2 "Christijan Albers: 'Wil Lewis Hamilton zich nog een keer bewijzen?'". Telegraaf (in Nederlands). 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ 131.0 131.1 "Formel 1: Hans-Joachim Stuck im exklusiven Interview über das WM-Finale zwischen Verstappen und Hamilton in Abu Dhabi". Eurosport Deutschland (in Deutsch). 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ↑ "Watson: Difficult to see Masi continuing as Race Director". RacingNews365. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ↑ "Watson understands Hamilton's silence: He was 'done out of' the championship". RacingNews365. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ↑ Max Champion, Lewis (still) brilliant - by Peter Windsor, retrieved 2022-02-01
- ↑ More on F1 Abu Dhabi by Peter Windsor, retrieved 2022-02-01
- ↑ 136.0 136.1 Herbert, Johnny. "The FIA got it wrong and Lewis Hamilton was robbed of winning his eighth world championship title". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ↑ "'Why did Michael Masi do what he did in Abu Dhabi?' Johnny Herbert". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ↑ 138.0 138.1 138.2 138.3 "Martin Brundle on Max Verstappen title and the most controversial F1 finale as Lewis Hamilton is denied". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ↑ 139.0 139.1 "What happened in Abu Dhabi wasn't fair,it was Hamilton's race, says India's first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan". WION. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ↑ 140.0 140.1 Germany, idowa, Straubing. "Rallye-Legende genervt von Formel 1: Röhrl: Verarschen kann ich mich selber - idowa". idowa.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ↑ "Ogier : Hamilton a été volé, n'ayons pas peur de le dire". Nextgen-Auto.com (in français). 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ↑ "Formule 1 : "Hamilton a été volé", Sébastien Ogier sans langue de bois !". Le Mag Sport Auto (in français). 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ↑ 143.0 143.1 143.2 "'A deserved title decided by a questionable call'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ "'That's not sport': UK media explodes as Hamilton 'cheated' out of F1 title by 'glorified TV show'". Fox Sports. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ "Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Official Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Susie Wolff Twitter page". 16 December 2021.
- ↑ "Nicolas Hamilton Instagram page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Alex Rossi Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Bubba Wallace Twitter page".
- ↑ "James Hinchcliffe Twitter".
- ↑ "Danica Patrick Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "JJ Watt Twitter page".
- ↑ "Heather Watson Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Gary Lineker Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Gary Lineker Twitter page". 13 December 2021.
- ↑ "Harry Kane's Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Jermaine Jenas Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Usman Khawaja Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Tim Bresnan Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Martin Lewis Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Rob Myers Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Rob Myers Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Kevin Clark Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ Williams, Lauren (2021-12-13). "'Biggest robbery in F1 history' Hamilton loss blasted by GMB's Adil in furious rant". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- ↑ "Dan Walker Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Ed Aarons Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Jeremy Clarkson Twitter page".
- ↑ "Jeremy Clarkson Twitter page".
- ↑ "Piers Morgen Twitter page". 12 December 2021.
- ↑ "Nick Knowles Twitter page". 13 December 2021.
- ↑ "Dan Amenyah Twitter page". 12 December 2012.
- ↑ "Rick Allen Twitter page".
- ↑ "Internet reactions: 'Unacceptable, FIA has given Verstappen the title'". www.gpblog.com. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ "'GOATSTAPPEN': Sports world explodes as Verstappen snatches title from Hamilton". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ "How F1's desperation for drama saw rules bent in attempt to 'contrive' reality TV finish". Fox Sports. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ Clifford, James (2022-01-13). "#MasiOut: Hamilton fans launch fresh push to oust race director". Formula1News.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ↑ "Twitter: F1 Fixed".
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- ↑ "Twitter: Lewis was robbed".
- ↑ "Twitter".
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- ↑ 185.0 185.1 "Statement of the FIA World Motor Sport Council". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ "FIA must look at itself after blaming fans for Abu Dhabi debacle – MPH". Motor Sport Magazine. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ Southwell, Hazel. "FIA Won't Rule on Abu Dhabi Investigation Until First F1 Race of 2022". The Drive. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ "'Untenable' Michael Masi situation a 'headache' for F1". The Independent. 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ Clifford, James (2022-01-20). "78% of F1 fans want Masi to be fired after Abu Dhabi controversy". Formula1News.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ↑ "'Finally a bit of luck for me' - Max Verstappen's delight at becoming an F1 champion for the first time". Eurosport UK. 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ says, Luke Cage (2021-12-12). "Horner: Verstappen was 'due a bit of luck' at F1 Abu Dhabi finale". Motorsport Week. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ "Interview Alexander Albon: Een stille kracht achter het Red Bull-succes". nl.motorsport.com (in Nederlands). Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- ↑ "Gerhard Berger über die Rennleitung: "Nicht nur in Abu Dhabi einen guten Job gemacht"". DER STANDARD (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ↑ "Berger defends Masi: 'That decision wasn't to help anyone'". www.gpblog.com. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ↑ Häkkinen, Mika (2021-12-14). "Mika Häkkinen: "We will be talking about this for a long time"". Unibet Blog. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ↑ "Grosjean backs Masi's decisions at F1 season finale". RacingNews365. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ↑ Cooper, Adam (15 December 2021). "Seidl: Masi's tricky role in intense F1 title battle needs to be understood". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Austin, Dan (31 December 2021). "Ferrari chief defends Michael Masi after Lewis Hamilton Formula 1 title controversy". The Independent. Independent Digital News & Media. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ↑ "Haug: Masi was ingenious and brilliant". GRAND PRIX 247. 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ↑ "Das große Saisonfinale analysiert von Gerhard Berger, Norbert Haug und Philipp Eng". ServusTV (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ↑ Sondermeijer, Vincent (12 December 2021). "Verstappen had het geluk op het juiste moment aan zijn zijde" [Verstappen had the luck of the right moment on their side]. NRC Handelsblad (in Nederlands). Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ↑ de Lange, Pepijn (13 December 2021). "'Misschien ontwikkelt Max' maatschappelijke kant zich nog, alles is nu anders voor hem'". de Volkskrant (in Nederlands). Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ↑ "FIA review of Abu Dhabi F1 controversy started this week". The Race. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ 204.0 204.1 Dickinson, Matt (14 December 2021). "Lewis Hamilton: Shameful injustice? No, sporting fairness is in eye of the beholder". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Golombek, Nina (2021-12-12). "Verstappen entreißt Hamilton auf der letzten Runde den WM-Titel: Und es endet im Wahnsinn". Der Spiegel (in Deutsch). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ WELT (2021-12-14). "Rennleiter Michael Masi: Der Mann, der die Formel 1 spaltet". DIE WELT (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ Haupt, Andreas (2021-12-12). "Kommentar zum Formel 1-Finale: Es müssen neue Benimmregeln her". auto motor und sport (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ 208.0 208.1 "Un vilain tour de Masi à Abou Dhabi". AutoHebdo (in français). 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ↑ Bianchi, Jordan. "F1's day of debacle is an unacceptable ending to Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton's year-long duel: Bianchi". The Athletic. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ 210.0 210.1 Lawrence, Andrew (2021-12-13). "Lewis Hamilton: an unjust ending, but an impressive Formula One season". The Undefeated. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ↑ "OPINION: 2021 – An epic F1 season, ruined?". RACER. 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ↑ Mitchell, Scott (12 January 2022). "FIA review of Abu Dhabi F1 controversy started this week". The Race. The Race Media. Retrieved 12 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "FIA inquiry into Abu Dhabi GP and F1's 2021's controversial title finale underway ahead of 2022 season". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ↑ "FIA launches probe into F1 Abu Dhabi safety car controversy". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ↑ "Statement of the FIA World Motor Sport Council". FIA. Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ↑ Mitchell, Scott. "What exactly has been 'misunderstood' about F1 title decider?". The Race. The Race Media. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ↑ "Mohammed Ben Sulayem". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ Noble, Jonathan. "Sulayem eyes changes to stop Abu Dhabi F1 controversy repeat". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ↑ Mitchell, Scott. "FIA hints at changes to safety car use and its' F1 structure". The Race. The Race Media. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ↑ "FIA's F1 finale investigation-Will it really find fault?". The Race. The Race Media. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ↑ "Abu Dhabi inquiry under way - what next?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ↑ "Hamilton – why he is considering his F1 future". GPFans. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ↑ Benson, Andrew (11 January 2022). "Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver to decide on F1 future after Abu Dhabi inquiry". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ↑ Wilde, Jon (12 January 2022). "Mercedes deny striking deal to oust Masi – report". PlanetF1. Retrieved 16 January 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Baldwin, Alan. "Final outcome of Abu Dhabi F1 probe to be announced in March". Reuters. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ↑ Mitchell, Scott (14 November 2021). "Was Verstappen lucky to avoid a penalty? Our Brazil GP verdict". The Race[[{{subst:DATE}}|{{subst:DATE}}]] [disambiguation needed]. Retrieved 11 February 2022. External link in
|website=(help) - ↑ Williams-Smith, Jake (6 December 2021). "Saudi Arabian GP showed the absolute best and worst of Max Verstappen". Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ Benson, Andrew (15 January 2022). "FIA president meets Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as part of F1 inquiry". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ↑ 229.0 229.1 229.2 229.3 229.4 229.5 229.6 "A special F1 Show as the Sky Sports pundits reflect on the aftermath from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". SkySports. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ↑ Newbold, James (14 January 2022). "Brundle: Removing Masi won't solve F1 credibility concerns". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ↑ "F1 in 2022: McLaren's Zak Brown says Abu Dhabi GP controversy 'symptom' of wider rulemaking issues". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ↑ Hughes, Mark. "Hamilton/FIA stand-off has echoes of Senna". The Race. The Race Media. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ↑ Perez, Jerry. "Red Bull and Masi's Radio Chat Raises More Questions About F1 Finale". The Drive. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ "Funkaufnahmen zwischen Michael Masi und Jonathan Wheatley entfachen Abu-Dhabi-Debatte erneut". Eurosport Deutschland (in Deutsch). 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ "Outrage at Mercedes as radio recording proves Red Bull pressured Masi in Abu Dhabi". MARCA. 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ Maingé, Elisabeth (2022-02-09). "Une vidéo sème le trouble sur les décisions de Masi à Abu Dhabi" (in français). Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ "McLaren launch 2022 Formula 1 car". BBC Sport. 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ Mitchell, Scott. "FIA promises 'action plan' after Abu Dhabi F1 review". The Race. The Race Media. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ↑ "Michael Masi replaced as F1 race director after FIA review of 2021 Abu Dhabi GP finale". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
- ↑ "Masi removed as F1 race director". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ↑ "Michael Masi ousted as F1 race director; Herbie Blash returns as new advisor". Motor Sport Magazine. 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
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