The FIA has modified the rule which was on the centre of the controversial final result of final 12 months’s world championship contest between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
The championship-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix grew to become a spotlight of dispute after FIA Formulation 1 race director Michael Masi took the controversial resolution to restart the race after solely permitting a portion of the lapped drivers to rejoin the lead lap.
Masi allowed the 5 lapped automobiles separating race chief Hamilton from second-placed Verstappen to rejoin the lead lap. Two different lapped automobiles between Verstappen and third-placed Carlos Sainz Jnr, and one other automobile additional again, weren’t allowed to unlap themsleves.
After the restart was given, Verstappen overtook Hamilton to win the race and, with it, the world championship. Mercedes instantly protested the end result, stating Masi had did not respect the rules by solely permitting a portion of the sector to regain the lead lap.
Mercedes’ protest was rejected and Verstappen’s victory was upheld. Nevertheless the stewards acknowledged of their verdict that article 48.12 of the 2021 rules “could not have been utilized totally” on the time.
The article acknowledged that: “If the clerk of the course considers it protected to take action, and the message ‘lapped automobiles could now overtake’ has been despatched to all opponents by way of the official messaging system, any automobiles which have been lapped by the chief will probably be required to move the automobiles on the lead lap and the security automobile.”
Within the corresponding article within the 2022 rules, 55.13, the phrase “any” has been modified to “all”. The rule now reads: “If the clerk of the course considers it protected to take action, and the message ‘lapped automobiles could now overtake’ has been despatched to all opponents utilizing the official messaging system, all automobiles which have been lapped by the chief will probably be required to move the automobiles on the lead lap and the security automobile.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
The interpretation of the rule was key to Mercedes’ objection over how the race was dealt with. Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff beforehand identified that Masi’s resolution to solely enable chosen automobiles to rejoin the lead lap contradicted a proof he had given following a race in 2020.
“How can or not it’s that 14 months in the past on the Eifel Grand Prix the reason that was given was precisely the opposite to what has occurred on Sunday?” stated Wolff.
“The reason that was on condition that the explanation why the security automobile was on the market so lengthy is that every one automobiles have to unlap themselves with the reason that that is following the sporting rules. Not solely the choice has been taken in a very reverse manner however a proof is being made 180-degree completely different to what occurred 14 months in the past.”
The FIA confirmed final month Masi wouldn’t proceed within the function of race director this 12 months.
Grow to be a RaceFans Supporter
RaceFans is run thanks partly to the beneficiant help of its readers. By contributing £1 per thirty days or £12 per 12 months (or the identical in whichever forex you employ) you’ll be able to assist cowl the prices of making, internet hosting and growing RaceFans in the present day and sooner or later.
Grow to be an RaceFans Supporter in the present day and browse the location ad-free. Join or discover out extra by way of the hyperlinks under:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
