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

[Hoffman900]

On a more constructive note - I really think the race should've been red flagged (Latifi's car was smoking quite badly at one point). That would have been pretty much consistent with recent precedent, and more fair towards everyone, too

As a fan, I agree 100%.

[the poster below]

Actually on the general point re VSCs, they are designed to not influence the race, but the only way to really do that is to have them active for an integer number of laps and set to deactivate in the marshalling sector where they were activated (I.e. when each car has reached the same point on the circuit it was when the VSC came into effect). VSC was designed for short use so anything more than 2 laps should really be a safety car

[Shrieker]

The one thing I still don't quite get is why Mercedes covered Verstappen straight away. The mediums would've run longer and I would have thought the gap they had (c. 8 seconds?) might've given them time to see whether the undercut was working for Verstappen. Hamilton might have been able to take younger hards into the last lap fight and it may have given him a fighting chance (clutching at straws a bit). Unless they were just very wary of a safety car coming out...

I watched this portion of the race very carefully, and very intently.

Basically, Max and Red Bull jumped at the opportunity to pit under the VSC(why wouldn't they). Half a pit for free, after all. Merc just wanted to see what they did, in case they did the opposite, and an on track fight was inevitable.

The next time Lewis came round, VSC ending message was displayed, just as he was making his way round the last corner, according to the gps tracker. So what I infer from that is, the end of the VSC would've coincided exactly with Lewis making his way into the pit lane, had they decided to make a stop. Ringo is right. In my mind, that is another proof they were looking at what Mercedes was doing with Lewis, and taking decisions according to that.

Yes I saw the VSC appeared to end as Hamilton was going down the pit straight on the on screen circuit map, but that was mid race I think. I meant the first stops around lap 14 for Hamilton's only stop. I thought those were done under normal racing conditions, but maybe I forgot something.

The first stops were ceteris paribus. Max pitted, and Merc shadowed him. Running longer on the mediums could've made sense at the time, but IIRC, the gap was around 5-6 seconds pre pit stop, so a sticky nut kinda situation could've seen him lose track position to Max. 2nd pit stop for Max was the one under VSC, when Gio pulled to the side.

[nimoraca]

Hamilton sends a cryptic message "We'll see about next year.". He is maybe thinking of retiring. Source:
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-auto ... ll-F1-news

He’s signed on for 2 more years why would it be cryptic? He’s not going to leave the team with Russell and them scrambling to find another driver like Rosberg did

Rosberg was signed as well when he retired. Contracts can be broken if both sides agree. When a race director goes this far in not respecting the standard race procedure and practically decides the championship winner, it surely makes you wonder whether you should continue racing.

[Shrieker]

Rosberg was signed as well when he retired. Contracts can be broken if both sides agree. When a race director goes this far in not respecting the standard race procedure and practically decides the championship winner, it surely makes you wonder whether you should continue racing.

Hope this is not how Lewis leaves. He can race well into his forties.

[e30ernest]

I don't know, the "We'll see about next year" sounded more like a threat that he would fight harder against Max next year rather than a hint of retirement to me.

[Ryar]

In many ways, regardless of what happened, destiny handed over the title to the most deserving one. The title would have decided long back if Max didn't have to endure those painful failures of which he was a bystander. We were given a dramatic season instead, ensuring the guy that performed the best while suffering the misfortunes, was rightfully crowned.

What a job Honda has done. If not for Mercedes driver errors forcing, RB would have come to the final few races with much fresher fourth engine with a strategic penalty, instead of a forced one. From 2015 to 2021, Honda have turned things around remarkably.

[nimoraca]

In many ways, regardless of what happened, destiny handed over the title to the most deserving one. The title would have decided long back if Max didn't have to endure those painful failures of which he was a bystander. We were given a dramatic season instead, ensuring the guy that performed the best while suffering the misfortunes, was rightfully crowned.

What a job Honda has done. If not for Mercedes driver errors forcing, RB would have come to the final few races with much fresher fourth engine with a strategic penalty, instead of a forced one. From 2015 to 2021, Honda have turned things around remarkably.

If it was destiny, or bad luck, that would have been fine. Hamilton already lost two titles to some very bad luck. However this here was not just bad luck, but orchestrated effort on behalf of the race director to practically hand the title to Max.
Its not even about Max not deserving the title, he sure did. But this just feels wrong.

[Ryar]

On a more constructive note - I really think the race should've been red flagged (Latifi's car was smoking quite badly at one point). That would have been pretty much consistent with recent precedent, and more fair towards everyone, too

Yeah that would have been the best course. In the heat of the moment though, they chose to stay on the safety car and that really ruined the end of this race and championship.

Yes and they should have taken fan opinions from the last race that no tyre change was allowed in red flag too and do a standing restart. Because, allowing tyre changes is deemed evil by entire sky gang and a large number of fans.

[adrianjordan]

If I was Carlos Sainz I'd be annoyed at not having the chance to challenge Max or Lewis at that restart.

Or if I Riccardo I'd be annoyed at not having the chance to attack Vettel.

Regardless of who won, Massi made a mess of the restart and needs to go.

[e30ernest]

On a more constructive note - I really think the race should've been red flagged (Latifi's car was smoking quite badly at one point). That would have been pretty much consistent with recent precedent, and more fair towards everyone, too

Yeah that would have been the best course. In the heat of the moment though, they chose to stay on the safety car and that really ruined the end of this race and championship.

Yes and they should have taken fan opinions from the last race that no tyre change was allowed in red flag too and do a standing restart. Because, allowing tyre changes is deemed evil by entire sky gang and a large number of fans.

Under the current rules, tire changes are allowed so then it should be allowed in this case. Under the current rule set there were only 3 legitimate ways the incident would have played out:

1. Red flag, all cars are able to pit and change tires
2. SC restart, lapped cars are not allowed to unlap themselves.
3. Lapped cars allowed to unlap themselves, race ends in SC.

For me it doesn't matter who won in the end provided the race went on fairly. If the positions were reversed in this race and Lewis won the championship because of how they handled the safety car restart then it would still leave a sour taste for me.

[Scorpaguy]

Not a big fan of either Ham or Max...both great drivers...both huge DB's at times. A few things:

1. Checo is a good mate....had Bot been where his car was capable of, no controversy.

2. Masi was going to be crucified either way...wish I could read read the Max forums in an alternate universe were MM did not let the lappers by. IMHO, I would rather see racing settle things, not lappers. Red Flag or having lappers slow/stop ASAP when under 5 to go or something.

3. Main thing...letting TP's talk to the Race Director during races is assinine (2"s" added for a reason)..

[selvam_e2002]

My Question here to FIA is,
If they are not happy with finishing under safety car
1. Why they completed only 3 laps under safety car and awarded points in race? Belgium race

It seems they are waiting for the situation to award the WDC to Max. Even if other way around i.e. Hamilton pit under second safety car, they would not restarted the race in final lap.

It is predefined plot by FIA and liberty. It is not good for F1. Now I am thinking of watching the F1 as it seems they already decided on 2022 WDC. As a F1 fan I don't want get cheated.

[Ryar]

From, oh I am so cool, controlled and a Statesman to behaving like an internet troll, asking race director not to deploy SC when a car is stranded on track, Toto's fall has been complete.

On another note, he should step down and hand over the reigns to another, non partisan individual to provide a more equal treatment in Mercedes next year for both drivers. He has far deeper alliance with Lewis and has made statements to the extent where he has unofficially called George to do a secondary role, which is unfair.

[ringo]

Well i think we have argued this to bits.

It is what it is.

One of those few championships where the guy that lost was not beaten. He just for matters outside of the field of play.

Congrats Redbull!

Congrats mercedes on the constructors!

Take this same momentum into next year. Bottas is gone and Perez will feel Redbull owes him his fair chance at being champion.