FIA react to Abu Dhabi "misunderstanding" that is "tarnishing" F1

Safety Car during the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi — Photo: © LAT Images

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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FIA react to Abu Dhabi "misunderstanding" that is "tarnishing" F1

The final laps of the 2021 F1 season were viewed as controversial by many

Sam Hall

Wednesday 15 December 2021 20:37

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has issued a statement reacting to the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after "reactions" that are "tarnishing the image of the championship".

The 2021 F1 season reached a dramatic and controversial conclusion at Yas Marina on Sunday with Max Verstappen clinching a maiden drivers' world title.

The controversy surrounded a late safety car period and the resumption of the race with lapped traffic initially instructed it would not be able to pass the safety car before the five cars separating title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen received the all-clear to move ahead.

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Although the regulations state the restart will happen after another lap is completed behind the safety car, it was explained after the event that other articles overrule the ruling.

Addressing the topic in a statement, the FIA World Motor Sport Council said: "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 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.

"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.

"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.

"Following that presentation and an extensive discussion, the World Council has decided to unanimously support the President’s proposal.

"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."