Hamilton Verstappen controversy in Abu Dhabi "over-discussed and over-analysed"
Hamilton Verstappen controversy in Abu Dhabi "over-discussed and over-analysed"
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto believes the controversy surrounding the championship showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen last year has been "over-discussed and over-analysed".
Verstappen took advantage of a late safety car period to make a last-lap dive on rival Hamilton to clinch his maiden F1 title, although the procedures used in the closing stages came under intense scrutiny.
As Ferrari launched its F1-75 challenger for the upcoming season, the FIA announced changes to its structure including Michael Masi's removal from the race director's post.
Asked for his reaction to the changes, Binotto explained: "What has been stated is something we were fully aware [of] because we discussed this at the F1 Commission and because I am part of the World [Motor Sport] Council as the F1 Commission representative.
"So it is not a surprise to us at all, something that has been fully analysed and discussed with the other teams and team principals.
"I think what happened in Abu Dhabi has been over-discussed, over-analysed for weeks and months and I think the fact that it took so long shows the complexity of the matter, there is nothing obvious.
"What happened there, I think the fact there is such complexity and it is very difficult to say anything was made wrong, right, any mistakes or not and certainly when you are taking such a decision, you are always under a lot of pressure in the heat of the action and that I think is true for the FIA, is true for the teams and is true for whoever is working in that difficult environment because the pressure is certainly very, very high.
"The communications from team to race director doesn't help so I think it was not an obvious situation and a difficult decision to take.
With the announcements covering the initial steps of the governing body's reform, Binotto added: "Then I think we all need to fully trust the FIA for its independence and its capacity to take the right decision to move forward and in that respect, we can only support it.
"So as Ferrari, we support the decision of its new chairman and the entire FIA and we certainly will continue to collaborate for a better and improved future for our racing."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Chinese Grand Prix practice red flagged after BIZARRE fire
- 15 minutes ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 51 minutes ago
Hamilton opens up on Wolff talks over Ferrari move as Verstappen SLAMS F1 decision - GPFans F1 Recap
- Today 00:27
F1 Sprint Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 23:27
Marko suggests 'exciting' move to REPLACE Ricciardo
- Yesterday 22:57
F1 Practice Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 22:27
Related news
Hamilton to open Wolff talks at Mercedes amid Ferrari F1 move uncertainty
Hamilton WARNED by Ferrari chief over performance levels
Brundle issues WARNING to 'under pressure' Ferrari star
F1 pundit says SHOCK team have ‘broken the back’ of rivals
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