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

[Tvetovnato]

[selvam_e2002]

There was a uneven playing field in the last lap, put in place by the RD contrary to the rules. Even if one thinks Carlos wasn’t in a place to attack it doesn’t matter. He was treated (as were other drivers) differently, ie the situation was biased in favour of Max.

That the situation hugely benefited Max does not mean that the decision was biased towards Max. It was biased towards spectacle.

They may not have singled it out for Max because it’s him, but that doesn’t change The fact that he was the sole beneficiary of the uneven situation on track. A biased situation is not the same as displaying a bias towards someone, this was a biased situation of which Max benefited.

I would say, instead of running all 20+cars in Abudhabi, better run only one car with Max and handover the WDC to him.

[Spoutnik]

We’ve been over this, if merc pitted Red Bull would’ve stayed out, then it would of finished under a sc and looked like fools for giving up track position

Perfect. If Mercedes pitted, RB stayed out... the race will finish under safety care. Then the RB will say all the rules are followed.

I bet the incident caused by Williams, may be pre planned.

Any way RB and MAX will get the WDC whatever out come of the race. It is "Match Fixed" well in advance.

Why will Williams do that? Williams is a customer of Mercedes, Toto got stake in the team, they got Russel there. I don't think it was pre planned and make such allegations is wrong to be honest on a team which has such a rich history in formula 1.

I dont really but that theory about Latifi crashing on purpose. Nevertheless, dont forgot that Red Bull put Albon on the 2nd Williams for next year, in spite of their close links with Wolff and Mercedes.

[nimoraca]

Also, interesting section from the sporting regulations:
48.8 With the exception of the cases listed under a) to h) below, no driver may overtake another car on the track, including the safety car, until he passes the Line (see Article 5.3) for the first time after the safety car has returned to the pits.

Since, 48.12 apparently was never triggered, how was it possible for some cars to overtake during safety car.

[Tvetovnato]

Also, interesting section from the sporting regulations:
48.8 With the exception of the cases listed under a) to h) below, no driver may overtake another car on the track, including the safety car, until he passes the Line (see Article 5.3) for the first time after the safety car has returned to the pits.

Since, 48.12 apparently was never triggered, how was it possible for some cars to overtake during safety car.

Because… Masi said so

[El Scorchio]

they were always going to restart the race. All year they have done everything to create more spectacle. Baku: red flag and standing restart for 2 laps. Hungary: wet conditions. start crash, still a standing instead of a rolling one. Jeddah: crash at first restart, red flag and again a standin restart. Mercedes should have known the FIA would do anything to have a final fight when the opportunity presented itself.

If the positions were reversed in AD they would have done the same. I fully agree they bent the rules, but I do not believe there was a bias towards Verstappen. If so, they would have handled differently on lap 1. The bias is only perceived by biased fans.

Exactly what I think. The abandoning of the rules was for ‘the show’ and whichever driver of the two was behind would have benefitted from it and the other 19 drivers in the race all treated as trivialities in the way of a made for TV spectacle.

This is why those shrugging it off as ‘one of those things’ or having a laugh at it because of who lost out should really think long and hard about the real issue, because if nothing is done it could easily happen to Verstappen or any other driver next season.

[seense]

Mercedes and Toto didn't say anything since Sunday on social media. Susie Wolff an hour ago on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Susie_Wolff

Also using the word "robbed" . Unbelievable. Merc left lewis out on old tyres making him vulnarable to safety cars. He had so much pace compared to Max I don't understand why they didnt gave up track position during first VSC and went a bit more aggressive. Even then Toto on the radio begging Masi not to make it a full SC. Besides LH poor defence against Perez' counter attacks also didnt help. They were unlucky with the SC but they could have done better themselves.

[seense]

they were always going to restart the race. All year they have done everything to create more spectacle. Baku: red flag and standing restart for 2 laps. Hungary: wet conditions. start crash, still a standing instead of a rolling one. Jeddah: crash at first restart, red flag and again a standin restart. Mercedes should have known the FIA would do anything to have a final fight when the opportunity presented itself.

If the positions were reversed in AD they would have done the same. I fully agree they bent the rules, but I do not believe there was a bias towards Verstappen. If so, they would have handled differently on lap 1. The bias is only perceived by biased fans.

Well said!

[richardn]

What might have happened if Bottas was one of the lapped cars between HAM and VER and simply refused to unlap himself? After all the official message requiring a car to overtake* was not sent.

* Also the official message is badly worded as it uses the word MAY which implies it is optional when the rest of the regulation says it is required. Better to use MUST.

[f1jcw]

Mercedes and Toto didn't say anything since Sunday on social media. Susie Wolff an hour ago on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Susie_Wolff

Also using the word "robbed" . Unbelievable. Merc left lewis out on old tyres making him vulnarable to safety cars. He had so much pace compared to Max I don't understand why they didnt gave up track position during first VSC and went a bit more aggressive. Even then Toto on the radio begging Masi not to make it a full SC. Besides LH poor defence against Perez' counter attacks also didnt help. They were unlucky with the SC but they could have done better themselves.

Poor defence? He was trying to overtake an aggressive defending car without crashing.

[kenshi_blind]

Done and dusted

[javspace]

Mercedes and Toto didn't say anything since Sunday on social media. Susie Wolff an hour ago on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Susie_Wolff

Also using the word "robbed" . Unbelievable. Merc left lewis out on old tyres making him vulnarable to safety cars. He had so much pace compared to Max I don't understand why they didnt gave up track position during first VSC and went a bit more aggressive. Even then Toto on the radio begging Masi not to make it a full SC. Besides LH poor defence against Perez' counter attacks also didnt help. They were unlucky with the SC but they could have done better themselves.

Oh my days

[f1jcw]

Not really, I don't think fans are so forgiving for this stichup.


What is the point of a sport, that the Controllers change their own rules to decide who can win.

It is nolonger a sport.

[seense]

Mercedes and Toto didn't say anything since Sunday on social media. Susie Wolff an hour ago on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Susie_Wolff

Also using the word "robbed" . Unbelievable. Merc left lewis out on old tyres making him vulnarable to safety cars. He had so much pace compared to Max I don't understand why they didnt gave up track position during first VSC and went a bit more aggressive. Even then Toto on the radio begging Masi not to make it a full SC. Besides LH poor defence against Perez' counter attacks also didnt help. They were unlucky with the SC but they could have done better themselves.

Poor defence? He was trying to overtake an aggressive defending car without crashing.

He left the door open on the inside twice! First part of the back straight by alot. On the second part he defended the inside but still leaving a small gap for Perez. He should have been more to the left like Max did on the last lap leaving no space to pass on the inside.

[Just Passing By]

Now season is really over.