Formula 1’s governing body will launch an investigation into the controversial finish to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, conceding the sport’s image has been “tarnished.”
The race, and the world championship, ended in acrimony, with Max Verstappen passing Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to secure the title.
That came after a late-race safety car, with Mercedes questioning the way race officials re-started the race, with lapped cars originally told to stay in place, then later given the go-ahead to un-lap themselves.
That cleared the way for Verstappen, on fresh tyres, to attack and pass Hamilton.
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“The world watched every race with great anticipation, knowing that in the end, there could only be one winner. In this respect, many praised Max Verstappen for his victory, and Lewis Hamilton for his remarkable performance and sportsmanship after the closing event of the season,” the FIA said in a statement.
“The 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has prompted a large number of reactions from the F1 community and from motor sport in general, as well as in the public.
“The FIA’s primary responsibility at any event is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the integrity of the sport.”
The story has dominated the news around the world since the race on Monday morning (AEDT), but the FIA is blaming this on a “misunderstanding.”
It did, however, concede the sports image had taken a battering this week.
“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, 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,” it said.
Mercedes is yet to announce whether it will proceed with its appeal over the results of the race, with confirmation required by Friday morning AEDT.
In what might be seen as an effort to placate Mercedes, the FIA will conduct a review into the closing stages of the race.
“Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on lap 53 of the grand prix and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place,” the statement reads.
“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.”
Importantly, the FIA has committed to having the review concluded before the start of next season, which is just three months away.
“The FIA will therefore do its utmost to have this in motion within the Formula 1 governance and will propose to the Formula 1 Commission to give a clear mandate for study and proposal to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the support of Formula 1 drivers, so that any identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.”
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