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

[Hammerfist]

I find it really odd that RB retired Perez, it’s the last lap of the last race. I don’t want to put on the tin foil hat but I can’t think of any reason you would give up a podium under the safety car of the final race. It’s not to save components that’s for sure.

He was perhaps not fueled for the entire race distance.

[_cerber1]

What's the point of MB to keep racing? What is the point of Porsche and Volkswagen coming to F1, even if the FIA cannot guarantee compliance with their own rules?

[Zynerji]

I bet Masi resigns and falls on his sword to cover this.

It should have been a red flag, new tyre, standing restart with 4 to go.

Then both sides would have accepted the outcome.

[javspace]

The FIA confirm that the FIA did nothing wrong. Who could have seen that coming???

[komninosm]

I find it really odd that RB retired Perez, it’s the last lap of the last race. I don’t want to put on the tin foil hat but I can’t think of any reason you would give up a podium under the safety car of the final race. It’s not to save components that’s for sure.

Because if he was having issues with his car the last thing a red Bull want is for him to break down/lose oil all over the track and ensure the race ends under the safety car

Why was he having issues in the first place? Maybe used some "strange" engine mode when fighting Hamilton?

Why was there a red flag in previous race and not in this one?
5 laps to go, Hamilton and Verstappen with fair tires to battle to the end. Entertainment maximized, let em race? No?
FIA could be sued by Betting Organisms for Race-fixing now.

[zeph]

The FIA can't revert the decision regarding the selective overtaking under the SC. It would be political/PR suicide.

I also think that the owners had something to do with this, the last lap made for sensational TV, and the controversy generates a lot of publicity. I don't doubt they're very happy with this outcome.

Over the entire season, I think Verstappen deserves the championship. He just didn't deserve to win this race.

[Dr. Acula]

The short version of the desicion:

"The Stewards consider that the protest is admissible."

"Having considered the various statements made by the parties the Stewards determine the following:"

"That Article 15.3 allows the Race Director to control the use of the safety car, which in our determination includes its deployment and withdrawal."

"That although Article 48.12 may not have been applied fully, in relation to the safety car returning to the pits at the end of the following lap, Article 48.13 overrides that and once the message 'Safety Car in this lap' has been displayed, it is mandatory to withdraw the safety car at the end of that lap."

"That notwithstanding Mercedes' request that the Stewards remediate the matter by amending the classification to reflect the positions at the end of the penultimate lap, this is a step that the Stewards believe is effectively shortening the race retrospectively, and hence not appropriate."

"Accordingly, the Protest is dismissed. The Protest Deposit is not refunded."

[dans79]

Time to go to court!
https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files ... 048.12.pdf

Red Bull argued that
1. “Any” does not mean “all”.
2. The Article 48.13 of the Sporting Regulations states that the message “Safety Car in this
lap” is the signal that it will enter the pit lane at the end of that lap.
3. That therefore Article 48.13 “overrides” Article 48.12.
4. That Article 15.3 gives the Race Director “overriding authority” over “the use of the safety
car”.
5. That even if all cars that had been lapped (8 in total, of which 5 were allowed to overtake
the safety car) it would not have changed the outcome of the race.

Race Director’s Evidence
The Race Director stated that the purpose of Article 48.12 was to remove those lapped cars that
would “interfere” in the racing between the leaders and that in his view Article 48.13 was the one
that applied in this case.
The Race Director also stated that it had long been agreed by all the Teams that where possible
it was highly desirable for the race to end in a “green” condition (i.e. not under a Safety Car).

[zeph]

What's the point of MB to keep racing? What is the point of Porsche and Volkswagen coming to F1, even if the FIA cannot guarantee compliance with their own rules?

Publicity. Dieter Zetsche stated ten years ago that F1 is a very cost-effective way to generate brand recognition.

[Roo]

What's the point of MB to keep racing? What is the point of Porsche and Volkswagen coming to F1, even if the FIA cannot guarantee compliance with their own rules?

Sadly Ferrari might support MB no racing. It all comes down to money, follow the money..

[SparkyAMG]

I'd be surprised if this is over and isn't taken further, and I'm gutted for both drivers because Lewis nailed it today and drove like a champ despite a few curveballs and Max has been incredible all season. He's a worthy champion and doesn't deserve for his win to be tainted like this.

Masi has to step down. I get the desire to finish under a green flag but not when it determines the outcome of the championship like that.

[Just_a_fan]

So The Race Director can just roll the dice and decide who is champion? If we'd known that at the beginning of the season, we could all have saved ourselves a lot of time and done other stuff on various weekends.

A very unsatisfactory way to end the season and the behaviour of the Race Director has thrown mud on the integrity of the sport and the governing body.

Well done to Max Verstappen for becoming the 2021 FIA Formula One Driver Championship.

[Mchamilton]

Well that is me done with this sport... its not even a sport anymore.

[nevill3]

I feel cheated, I have invested a lot of time and money into following F1 only to be served up a bogus result like this. I cannot think of how anyone could justify what we saw today and feel that Mercedes could leave the sport after this, just like I will probably not be so invested in the future myself

[Restomaniac]

Time to go to court!
https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files ... 048.12.pdf

Red Bull argued that
1. “Any” does not mean “all”.
2. The Article 48.13 of the Sporting Regulations states that the message “Safety Car in this
lap” is the signal that it will enter the pit lane at the end of that lap.
3. That therefore Article 48.13 “overrides” Article 48.12.
4. That Article 15.3 gives the Race Director “overriding authority” over “the use of the safety
car”.
5. That even if all cars that had been lapped (8 in total, of which 5 were allowed to overtake
the safety car) it would not have changed the outcome of the race.

Race Director’s Evidence
The Race Director stated that the purpose of Article 48.12 was to remove those lapped cars that
would “interfere” in the racing between the leaders and that in his view Article 48.13 was the one
that applied in this case.
The Race Director also stated that it had long been agreed by all the Teams that where possible
it was highly desirable for the race to end in a “green” condition (i.e. not under a Safety Car).

I think Masi has shot himself in the foot there. If he admitted he removed the cars inbetween as an intentional act so they didn’t interfere when everyone knew it left Hamilton a sitting duck then it’s race fixing. A good QC will eat them alive in court.