The controversial season finale of the Formula 1 championship, which saw Max Verstappen take the world title on the last lap of the race after a chaotic management of the safety car by Michael Masi, was at the center of the attention of the FIA.
Last December 15, at the end of the World Council, the former president of the International Federation, Jean Todt, had proposed to start an analysis aimed at shedding light on what happened in the final laps of the Abu Dhabi GP.
The FIA had issued a statement that read as follows: “The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 has aroused a large number of reactions from the F1 community and motorsport in general as well as the public. The main responsibility of the FIA in every event is to guarantee the safety of all the people involved and the integrity of the sport ”.
“The circumstances surrounding the use of the Safety Car, following the accident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and the related communications between the race director and the team representatives, have generated considerable misunderstandings and reactions from teams, drivers and fans of Formula 1. All this is currently clouding the image of the Championship and the proper celebration of the first Drivers ‘World Championship won by Max Verstappen and the eighth consecutive Constructors’ World Championship won by Mercedes ”.
“Following the presentation of a report on the sequence of events that occurred starting from the accident that took place on lap 53, and in a constant drive aimed at improvement, the President of the FIA proposed to the World Council that an analysis be started with the involvement of all stakeholders. This topic will be discussed and addressed with all the teams and pilots to draw any lessons from this situation and make more clarity towards the participants, the media and fans on the current regulations. All in order to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the pilots and staff. It will not be the only Formula 1 that will benefit from this analysis, but more generally all the championships of the FIA circuit ”.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“The FIA - concludes the press release – will therefore do everything possible to initiate this analysis within the governance of Formula 1 and will propose to the Formula 1 Commission to give a study mandate to the Advisory Committee, with the support of Formula 1 drivers, in so that any meaningful feedback and any conclusions can be drawn before the start of the 2022 season ”.
Since that December 15, however, there had been no more news regarding the analysis of the events in Abu Dhabi. At least until today.
In a statement issued a little while ago, the International Federation indicated what the next steps will be regarding the events that characterized the last grand prix of 2021.
“Following the decision of the Paris World Council of 15 December 2021, the administration of the FIA, under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has begun the detailed analysis of the events of the last Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix”, yes reads in the communiqué of the International Federation.
“The president of the FIA has launched a consultation with all the F1 teams on various issues, including this one. On January 19, an item on the agenda of the Sports Advisory Committee will be devoted to the use of the Safety Car. The next step will be a shared discussion with all F1 drivers ”.
“The result of the detailed analysis will be presented to the F1 Commision in February and the final decisions will be announced at the World Council to be held in Bahrain on March 18”.
“FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem asked the general secretary and head of the single-seater area, Peter Bayer, for proposals to review and optimize the organization of the FIA F1 structure for the 2022 season”.
#FIA #investigation #teams #drivers #involved #decisions