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

[AMG.Tzan]

Anyone know what happened to Lewis after the podium??

Did he leave the track? Because there's no interview of him anywhere after the podium...

[JordanMugen]

If you wanna break the rules and see a boxing match with one of the fighters having to fight with one hand tied behind their back and have no problem whatsoever with it then sure, by all means, move on.

Take the DTM championship for example, Lawson was crashed out on the first corner of both final races by Kelvin van der Linde! Lawson didn't win the title, but oh well. These things happen, that's motor racing.

Even if van der Linde gets a penalty, it doesn't get Lawson's championship back!

[Shrieker]

Red Bull were in a safe second place with nothing to lose by pitting. So doing it cost nothing. If Mercedes had pitted they definitely would have lost track position.

It really is quite simple.

the big question is - if Lewis pitted under SC (to softs presumably), Max gets the lead (slightly used hards), does Masi let the lapped cars overtake safety car or not?

Oh come on.

Masi would never have gone out of his way, violate the rules and make Lewis win. Had they pitted, as per the rules they would've been required to restart with the lapped cars in between, or no restart at all.

[El Scorchio]

I think the gist of the problem is, it was not the SC influencing the outcome, but rather, the handling of the SC period itself, which was done in clear violation of the rules.

And...? If the entire driver's championship hinges on whether the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was one lap longer or not, and therefore whether or not lapped cars can legitimately vs illegimately overtake, can't we just agree it was jolly good racing and move on?

If you call contriving a situation where a car on 40 lap old hard tyres is forced to try and fend off a car on new soft tyres ‘jolly good racing’ then you’re watching the wrong sport.

It would have barely been ‘sport’ around Hungary or Monaco but Hamilton might have had a fighting chance. As it was, this was the equivalent of breaking the fox’s legs and throwing it directly in front of the hounds immediately before starting the hunt.

[Chuckjr]

What merc looks like winning CC. Not only is the video priceless but the comments are hilarious.

Congrats Max.

[JordanMugen]

Oh come on.

Masi would never have gone out of his way, violate the rules and make Lewis win.

That's bias showing through there! Recall that Lap 1 was deemed as no investigation necessary despite Hamilton cutting a corner and not losing a place. The notion of FIA being biased in Red Bull Racing's favour seems dubious.

"Don't attribute to malice, what can be explained by incompetence!"

As it was, this was the equivalent of breaking the fox’s legs and throwing it directly in front of the hounds immediately before starting the hunt.

I was annoyed that Verstappen and Perez were skittled out in the first corner of Hungary, but I didn't rabbit on about it like this! I was actually cheering on Alonso, it was a lot of fun actualy.

[Shrieker]

I think the gist of the problem is, it was not the SC influencing the outcome, but rather, the handling of the SC period itself, which was done in clear violation of the rules.

And...? If the entire driver's championship hinges on whether the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was one lap longer or not, and therefore whether or not lapped cars can legitimately vs illegimately overtake, can't we just agree it was jolly good racing and move on?

If you call contriving a situation where a car on 40 lap old hard tyres is forced to try and fend off a car on new soft tyres ‘jolly good racing’ then you’re watching the wrong sport.

It would have barely been ‘sport’ around Hungary or Monaco but Hamilton might have had a fighting chance. As it was, this was the equivalent of breaking the fox’s legs and throwing it directly in front of the hounds immediately before starting the hunt.

Or, awarding a penalty kick, with the kick being taken from the middle of the 6 yard box, on an open goal, with the keeper having to stand outside of one of the posts Is there a theoretical chance it might be missed ? Well yes, sure. Is it gonna happen realistically ? Of course not.

[El Scorchio]

Anyone know what happened to Lewis after the podium??

Did he leave the track? Because there's no interview of him anywhere after the podium...

I’d imagine so. Wouldn’t you? Just get the formalities over and done with and GTFO. Any driver would have done the same. The fact he did the podium and behaved graciously in defeat after being absolutely shafted by the race director is testament to what a champion he is.

[El Scorchio]

Oh come on.

Masi would never have gone out of his way, violate the rules and make Lewis win.

That's bias showing through there! Recall that Lap 1 was deemed as no investigation necessary despite Hamilton cutting a corner and not losing a place. The notion of FIA being biased in Red Bull Racing's favour seems dubious.

"Don't attribute to malice, what can be explained by incompetence!"

As it was, this was the equivalent of breaking the fox’s legs and throwing it directly in front of the hounds immediately before starting the hunt.

I was annoyed that Verstappen and Perez were skittled out in the first corner of Hungary, but I didn't rabbit on about it like this! I was actually cheering on Alonso, it was a lot of fun actualy.

Totally different situation and you know it. I think you’re just trying to wind people up TBH.

[AMG.Tzan]

Anyone know what happened to Lewis after the podium??

Did he leave the track? Because there's no interview of him anywhere after the podium...

I’d imagine so. Wouldn’t you? Just get the formalities over and done with and GTFO. Any driver would have done the same. The fact he did the podium and behaved graciously in defeat after being absolutely shafted by the race director is testament to what a champion he is.

Absolutely agree, I would also do the same! I just wanted to know if there was any "official" news of him leaving the track early.

[jz11]

Red Bull were in a safe second place with nothing to lose by pitting. So doing it cost nothing. If Mercedes had pitted they definitely would have lost track position.

It really is quite simple.

the big question is - if Lewis pitted under SC (to softs presumably), Max gets the lead (slightly used hards), does Masi let the lapped cars overtake safety car or not?

Oh come on.

Masi would never have gone out of his way, violate the rules and make Lewis win. Had they pitted, as per the rules they would've been required to restart with the lapped cars in between, or no restart at all.

so, according to you, with 100% certainty, a conspiracy was in place against Lewis winning the 8th title, is that what you're trying to say?

[JordanMugen]

Or, awarding a penalty kick, with the kick being taken from the middle of the 6 yard box, on an open goal, with the keeper having to stand outside of one of the posts

Ahem: Australia vs France World Cup 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E62Z3a5qjyQ

It was an arguably 'dubious' penalty in extra time that decided the result at the last moment IIRC. You've got a number of Australian fans saying "a penalty should not (have) been awarded" but there's no point being salty about these kinds of things. It's all part of the competition.

I think you’re just trying to wind people up TBH.

To the contrary, it's just motor racing (or football or table tennis etc), some folks seem to be taking it way too seriously!

[Shrieker]

That's bias showing through there! Recall that Lap 1 was deemed as no investigation necessary despite Hamilton cutting a corner and not losing a place. The notion of FIA being biased in Red Bull Racing's favour seems dubious.

Crowding out another car out of road isn't allowed. Was it a harsh call against Red Bull ? Yes. Could they have done anything to avoid it ? Yes (try braking 1 meter earlier maybe ?). Perez did fine, after all. Max could've done the same. Well except, he can't race wheel to wheel.

[PlatinumZealot]

I would not put all the blame on Massi it may be more complicated than that but indeed he is the frontman of the "let them race (crash) / we want a show" policy

The other theory is that he is insecure about his decisions and easily influenced by the teams (Toto asking for a vsc was priceless ...) and in that case it's incompetency and he needs to go but that will never happen !

There is a theory by one of the journalist (Can't remember, because it's a site I rarely visit), that though unlikely, the decision wasn't really Masi's but given from a higher level. This might explain the last minute switch from "No cars can overtake" to "cars between Max and Lewis can overtake, but cars between Carlos and Max stay put, and oh, safety car coming in the next two corners - good luck warming up those 45 lap old rubber carcasses."

[ringo]

How did Mercedes know the race would finish under safety car, but Red Bull didn't.

Because it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that, according to the rules, you let by cars out of order and then it starts the lap after. 2 laps to go minus 2 laps to go equals zero.

So Red Bull aren't clever enough to work that out, and their pitting was a waste of time?

I'm sorry but that really doesn't make sense IMO. Mercedes had every opportunity to also pit and to expect a restart.

I dont think you understand what everyone is saying.
Anything that mercedes did..the FiA would have ruled against them.
If they pit hamilton he will lose track position to Max and Masi will keep the safety car out or rwd flag the race.
That's what they did in Saudia Arabia. They watch what hamilton and his pit decides then they do whatever disadvantages them.
Hamilton was destined to lose by Fia interference. His only hope was if latifi did not crash and the race ran normally.
I hope you see what people are saying now.
Mercedes did the right thing by keeping Lewis out. The director could not rule against lewis if he stayed out. But i guess you can when u rewrite the rules in 30 seconds.