F1's governing body says events of closing laps of season finale "notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans" and is "currently tarnishing the image of the championship"; drivers' confusion revealed in radio messages
Thursday 16 December 2021 12:17, UK
The FIA, Formula 1's governing body, says it will conduct an "analysis and clarification exercise" into the controversial events at the end of the Abu Dhabi GP - acknowledging fallout from Sunday's title-deciding race is currently "tarnishing the image of the championship".
In a statement following a planned meeting of its World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday, in which a report outlining the sequence of events following the lap-53 deployment of the Safety Car was submitted, the FIA said its outgoing president Jean Todt had proposed further discussion to provide clarity for teams and drivers before the 2022 season.
The governing body suggested that the events of the closing laps along with communications between Race Control - which is led by race director Michael Masi - and the teams "generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans".
Mercedes were left incensed by Masi's handling of the race's closing laps and argued that the Sporting Regulations had not been followed correctly after Lewis Hamilton was overhauled for the race win and world title by Red Bull rival Max Verstappen, who was on new tyres, when the race was restarted on the 58th and final lap.
The team lodged a protest against the result on Sunday night. Although that was dismissed by stewards who ruled that Masi had the authority to override certain regulations, Mercedes lodged a notice of intent of appeal to the FIA's International Court of Appeal and have until Thursday to formalise any such challenge.
"The FIA's primary responsibility at any event is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the integrity of the sport," read a statement.
"The circumstances surrounding the use of the Safety Car following the incident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and the related communications between the FIA Race Direction team and the Formula 1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans, an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the Championship and the due celebration of the first Drivers' World Championship title won by Max Verstappen and the eighth consecutive Constructors' World Championship title won by Mercedes.
"Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on Lap 53 of the Grand Prix and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place.
"This matter will be discussed and addressed with all the teams and drivers to draw any lessons from this situation and clarity to be provided to the participants, media, and fans about the current regulations to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the drivers and officials.
"It is not only Formula 1 that may benefit from this analysis, but also more generally all the other FIA circuit championships."
In consultation with drivers and the F1 Commission, the FIA hopes to have "identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season".
Mercedes believe that Masi did not follow the regulations around the withdrawal of the Safety Car by allowing only five of the eight lapped runners - the five between Hamilton and Verstappen in the queue - to unlap themselves and then by restarting the race on the next lap.
The decision also created confusion among the drivers.
McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo, on new soft tyres, was the first of the three drivers not allowed to pass. In team radio messages, the Australian said the decision "seems strange" and then told his race engineer after completing the final lap: "Glad I am not a part of that. Whatever just happened, it seemed pretty f***** up."
The five cars who were released only got the signal to do so approaching Turn Nine approaching the final sector of the penultimate lap before the race resumed. Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel was one of those and told his race engineer afterwards: "Why did they not let us go straight away? This is what I still don't understand."
Masi, who was appointed to the position of race director after the highly-respected and long-serving Charlie Whiting died on the eve of the 2019 season, has faced criticism at times this year for what some have judged to be inconsistent decisions.
Speaking to Sky Sports News on Wednesday, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "I think it's a massive job and Michael has come under pressure throughout the year. I think, yes, particularly in a tough and tight battle as it is I think he does need more support.
"Charlie had Herbie Blash sitting side-by-side with him and Michael would benefit from more support. He's got the hardest job in Formula 1 because someone is always going to think he's wrong.
"He's doing the best he can. I think there are certain things that can be done to help him moving forward. I'm sure there will have been many lessons taken out of this year's world championship."
