Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. Photo / Photosport
Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. Photo / Photosport
F1's governing body has launched an investigation into the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Max Verstappen won the world title in controversial fashion.
The FIA has announced it will conduct a "detailed analysis and clarification exercise" into the season finale that sparked outrage as F1 fans accused race director Michael Masi of ignoring the rule book and gifting Verstappen victory over Lewis Hamilton.
Masi sparked uproar when he allowed five cars between Hamilton — who was leading — and Verstappen to overtake the safety car late in the race following Nicolas Latifi's crash, giving the two championship contenders one final racing lap to fight for the title.
Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. Photo / Photosport
Operating on fresher tyres, the call allowed Verstappen to catch up to Hamilton, before the Ducthman passed the 36-year-old to win his maiden championship.
Mercedes was furious, launching two protests — that were ultimately dismissed by stewards — while it also lodged an intent to appeal. Silver Arrows boss Toto Wolff argued with Masi over the radio at the time, telling the race director the call was "not right".
After a meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Paris this week, the decision was made to review how the final race of the season was handled, to see if any procedural changes need to be implemented in 2022.
"The circumstances surrounding the use of the Safety Car following the incident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and the related communications between the FIA Race Direction team and the Formula 1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans," the FIA said in a statement.
"(It is) an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the Championship and the due celebration of the first Drivers' World Championship title won by Max Verstappen and the eighth consecutive Constructors' World Championship title won by Mercedes.
"This matter will be discussed and addressed with all the teams and drivers to draw any lessons from this situation and clarity to be provided to the participants, media, and fans about the current regulations to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the drivers and officials.
"It is not only Formula 1 that may benefit from this analysis, but also more generally all the other FIA circuit championships."
Max Verstappen is congratulated by Lewis Hamilton. Photo / Getty
BBC F1 reporter Andrew Benson said the F1A's move is "an effective admission that mistakes were made in Abu Dhabi and it feels very much like an olive branch - or perhaps even a quid pro quo - to Mercedes, who have been in talks with the FIA over the last few days as their appeal deadline looms".
Motorsport writer Jon Noble added: "The FIA blaming the Abu Dhabi GP fallout on fans, teams and media 'misunderstanding' the situation is a little baffling. If anything it shows a clear misunderstanding of why it is such a big issue for F1's integrity."
Mercedes has until Friday morning to decide if it will follow through with a full-blown appeal of the stewards' decisions to reject the team's post-race protests.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Red Bull defended Masi. Verstappen said the official "tries his very best and it's very unfair to now start hating on him because it is a very tough job", while team boss Christian Horner added: "Michael has been under massive pressure from all sides.
"I think that it's a little unfair that … he's up there on his own. He doesn't have any form of support.
"I think the level at which teams are now operating, all the data and information that they have available to them is immense and I think that the takeaway from this season — not just from Abu Dhabi — is: How can we do a better job? How can the FIA do a better job?"
