2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina, Dec 10 - 12

[Tom145145]

Before that, Hamilton had driven the perfect race. Had the rules been followed as they normally are for safety cars, the race would have finished as it was for 99% of the time. That's what is annoying and why some might say it was a gifted result.

Max had these bonuses in a safety situation:
1: 11 second gap neutralized
2: fresh soft tyres
3: cars infront removed to aid him
4: cars lapped behind kept there meaning Sainz had no chance to pass max on the restart.

That is incredible, given that points 3,4 were caused by a human, then I would say thats a gift.

Can you say why it wasn't a gift?

It is only one race in a long season.

Recall that Hamilton was a lap down in Imola and had some fortune there to score second place, for example.

It doesn’t matter what happened before this race, it doesn’t allow the rules to be changed within the race to somehow balance the season. You can’t both say nothing was done and it was ok to be done because it’s now even Steven’s.

[analyst]

I think the right call was made.

How I see it most important this sport is entertainment.

This whole drive was about Max vs Hamilton.
There is an accident, safety car.

The choice is to finish under safety flag or finish with 1 lap of racing. (just hurry and get racing)
The choice is to keep the cars between Hamilton and Max. That's no entertainment, we want to see 2 guys battling. (guys in the middle gone)

I had a great afternoon, was exciting, fun, thrilling, drama, win, loss, win.

I understand everyone talking about rules here and I think rules are here to serve a purpose to see guys racing quite equally. Anyhow, I think Masi did great, the was a blast of an ending.

[AMG.Tzan]

Before that, Hamilton had driven the perfect race. Had the rules been followed as they normally are for safety cars, the race would have finished as it was for 99% of the time. That's what is annoying and why some might say it was a gifted result.

Max had these bonuses in a safety situation:
1: 11 second gap neutralized
2: fresh soft tyres
3: cars infront removed to aid him
4: cars lapped behind kept there meaning Sainz had no chance to pass max on the restart.

That is incredible, given that points 3,4 were caused by a human, then I would say thats a gift.

Can you say why it wasn't a gift?

It is only one race in a long season.

Recall that Hamilton was a lap down in Imola and had some fortune there to score second place, for example. Both contenders have had fortune and misfortune at various points! A safety car finish with offset tyre strategies is not unusual, just the way it has handled by race control was a bit messy.

Remember that Verstapen was 7th and going backwards in Russia and had some fortune there to score second place, for example.

The whole thing we are discussing right here hasn't got to do with strategies or luck! It has to do with clear procedures written and clearly not being followed just to get "The Show" of the last lap! We aren't NASCAR or Football to set up races just to earn money...

Had it been Max winning the race on merit or strategy no one would have said anything! But Lewis was way faster today and even battled 2 Red Bulls alone! That last lap made him look like an idiot...

[Shrieker]

Redbull won on strategy

No they were quite clearly beaten. Even with Perez holding Hamilton up a lot, was a minor nuisance for him.

and a bit of luck.

Everyone knows it was anything but.

It is not like they were cheering like crazy after putting their competitor in the hospital…

Again, grasping at straws. Max went to the hospital to get checked up, and Hamilton didn't know. Anyway, going for a precautionary check up doesn't mean he was wounded or something, but you guys loved making a meal out of this all season long Just like the crash itself, where Max had the lion's share of the fault.

[NathanOlder]

Yes. If the rules were applied correctly then that’s just bad luck for Hamilton but as it was the rules were not applied properly in order to manufacture a last lap shootout that shouldn’t have happened rather than following the rules and having an anticlimactic but ultimately correct finish under the safety car.

I think the back markers can only unlap themselves when the track is clear, so they couldn't apply the rule 2 laps earlier. remember the back markers who unlap, then go very fast to try catch the pack. this can't happen when marshals and diggers are on track.

Actually the rulebook doesn’t mention “when the track is clear” !! It says when it is deemed safe by the clerk. So if there is the possibility to unlap in a safe manner they could have potentially done this earlier.

And judging by what we saw today, if the track was clear any earlier, we would have gone back racing earlier. So I don't see how you can suggest the track was clear 4 or 5mins earlier.

[Just_a_fan]

Apparently none of the Mercedes powered teams have congratulated MV at this time. All non-Mercedes powered teams have.

Hamilton did. He did it straight away.

[Tom145145]

and I really dont see how this win cannot have a sour taste on Max's mouth..

I could be wrong, and I would love to get corrected. But I believe if there's anyone who wouldn't lose sleep over the way it was won, it's him.

Redbull won on strategy and a bit of luck. It is not like they were cheering like crazy after putting their competitor in the hospital…

I’m sorry, I didn’t realise this was a parody account. I won’t interrupt your comedy any longer.

[Gothrek]

Redbull won on strategy

No they were quite clearly beaten. Even with Perez holding Hamilton up a lot, was a minor nuisance for him.

and a bit of luck.

Everyone knows it was anything but.

It is not like they were cheering like crazy after putting their competitor in the hospital…

Again, grasping at straws. Max went to the hospital to get checked up, and Hamilton didn't know. Anyway, going for a precautionary check up doesn't mean he was wounded or something, but you guys loved making a meal out of this all season long Just like the crash itself, where Max had the lion's share of the fault.

That crash was deemed Hamiltons fault.

Anyway, you will get over your denial. Verstappen is WDC. You’ll accept it in a few days, as will Mercedes.

[TwanV]

true JaF, its so easy. Makes me sad though, how far things have come for a little HP.

[Just_a_fan]

Everyone keeps calling this the "Americanization" of the F1. As an American, that's bs. If we're going to manufacturer drama, we would at least be subtle about it.

If Hollywood ever make a film about this season, Max will be American (probably played by Tom Cruise) and there will be all sorts of strange goings on in the background. It won't be subtle.

[ENGINE TUNER]

and I really dont see how this win cannot have a sour taste on Max's mouth..

I could be wrong, and I would love to get corrected. But I believe if there's anyone who wouldn't lose sleep over the way it was won, it's him.

Redbull won on strategy and a bit of luck. It is not like they were cheering like crazy after putting their competitor in the hospital…

Verstappen put himself in the wall and hospital by turning in on a competitor he knew was beside him for hundreds of meters and crossing over his competitor's line. Verstappen caused the collision in Silverstone, Imola, monza, Hungary and Jeddah.

[leftyiz]

and I really dont see how this win cannot have a sour taste on Max's mouth..

I could be wrong, and I would love to get corrected. But I believe if there's anyone who wouldn't lose sleep over the way it was won, it's him.

Nobody wants to win like this even him but then again I don't know him personally

[f1jcw]

I think the right call was made.

How I see it most important this sport is entertainment.

This whole drive was about Max vs Hamilton.
There is an accident, safety car.

The choice is to finish under safety flag or finish with 1 lap of racing. (just hurry and get racing)
The choice is to keep the cars between Hamilton and Max. That's no entertainment, we want to see 2 guys battling. (guys in the middle gone)

I had a great afternoon, was exciting, fun, thrilling, drama, win, loss, win.

I understand everyone talking about rules here and I think rules are here to serve a purpose to see guys racing quite equally. Anyhow, I think Masi did great, the was a blast of an ending.

Nope. You say you want to see 2 guys battling. That’s wrong when they’ve manufactured an unfair contest.

[Jolle]

Apparently none of the Mercedes powered teams have congratulated MV at this time. All non-Mercedes powered teams have.

Hamilton clearly did, as did Ricciardo and Norris (on the telly). Besides that, I think Latifi is on Verstappen’s Christmas list now.

[BlueCheetah66]

Masi really has to go after this season. I do not think he rigged it for Max to win, but his poor, indecisive decision making allowed RB to benefit from some luck. That's why I don't think it is fair to label Max an undeserving champion. Plus it is a season-long championship, not a cup final. Max and Lewis have been as close to equal through the season. Either driver that came out on top was deserving