Everything at stake as F1 prepares to hear FIA Abu Dhabi report
Everything at stake as F1 prepares to hear FIA Abu Dhabi report
The Formula 1 Commission will meet today to hear the findings of an FIA inquiry into the events of last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the futures of Lewis Hamilton and race director Michael Masi in the balance.
The conclusion of the 2021 season left a bitter taste in the mouth for F1 fans with the championship decided by a last-lap shootout between Max Verstappen and seven-time champion Hamilton.
The dash to the line came as the result of a safety car period caused by the crash of Nicholas Latifi.
In order to resume racing and not end the championship behind the safety car, it appeared that Masi chose to ignore certain protocols relating to the withdrawal of the vehicle from the circuit, a move that sparked fury from Mercedes and fans of the sport.
After a two-month review, F1 will finally hear the conclusions drawn today.
What has the FIA investigated?
The investigation has largely centred around the aforementioned withdrawal of the safety car and whether proper regulations were followed.
A quick glance at article 48.12 of the F1 sporting regulations paints an unfortunate picture for Masi as it states that "once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap."
As witnessed at Yas Marina, after a number of cars were permitted to unlap themselves, racing started on the following lap rather than the safety car completing an additional tour.
Masi was supported by the stewards as having an "overriding authority" to control the safety car and its actions but this did nothing to calm feelings.
Radio messages from the period shared between Red Bull and Masi have since come to light with team principal Christian Horner and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley lobbying for the race to resume.
In a clip that recently resurfaced, Masi could be heard closely repeating a phrase said to him by Wheatley when in communication with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
Although Mercedes elected against following through with its appeal against the result, Wolff vowed to hold the FIA accountable, expecting to see "actions" and not just "words".
The report will determine if Masi followed the proper processes, if he was unduly influenced by outside sources and whether he is up to the job of being the F1 race director.
Could Masi go?
Masi has taken a pounding in the court of public opinion with many on social media calling for him to be replaced.
The Australian, however, has found support among the drivers with Lando Norris one of a number giving him their backing.
[ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW IMAGE]
In a recent interview, though, FIA head of single-seater matters Peter Bayer revealed the possibility Masi could be replaced ahead of the new season despite conceding he 'doesn't want to lose him'.
A possible outcome is that if Masi remains in situ, he will be granted a larger support network around him similar to that enjoyed by previous race director Charlie Whiting.
Hamilton - What happens next?
Hamilton may have announced that he is "back" on social media recently, but his participation in the coming season is as unclear as that of Masi.
In the aftermath of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wolff declared the events had left both Hamilton and he "disillusioned" by F1.
[ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW IMAGE]
Hamilton has been confirmed as being part of the Mercedes W13 launch on Friday but Mercedes is yet to formally comment on the driver's future with all previous indications linking the matter closely to the outcome of the FIA report.
Although it appears extremely likely Hamilton will continue, it is still not beyond the realms of possibility he will decide to call time on his glittering career if the report is not to his liking.
Such a decision would prove damning for the FIA and would lead to further questions being asked with regard to the integrity of the governing body.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton in 's*** happens' outburst after huge China failure
- 19 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Alonso hit with China PENALTY as Hamilton endures Shanghai nightmare
- 32 minutes ago
F1 star PENALISED following controversial Chinese GP incident
- 1 hour ago
F1 Qualifying Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 times - 100th Red Bull pole as Hamilton crashes out in Q1
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton suffers CATASTROPHIC F1 qualifying after early exit
- 2 hours ago
Chinese Grand Prix qualifying red flagged after unusual HIGH SPEED crash
- 2 hours ago
Related news
F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
F1 Sprint Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
Sky Pundit suggests F1 star ‘DETRIMENTAL’ to nation
F1 Flags Explained: What do the different colours mean?
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860