The FIA believes the dispute over the final laps of Sunday’s championship-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is “tarnishing the image of the championship and the due celebration of the first drivers’ world championship title won by Max Verstappen.”
Its World Motor Sport Council has approved a proposal by president Jean Todt to begin a “detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties”.A report was made to the WMSC over the sequence of events following Latifi’s crash. This culminated in FIA Formula 1 race director Michael Masi’s decision to restart the race having only permitted a few of the lapped drivers to to overtake the Safety Car.
Mercedes challenged this decision in a protest in Sunday evening. This was rejected by the stewards, following which Mercedes gave notice of its intention to appeal. The team has until tomorrow evening to commit to an appeal. Until that time the result of Sunday’s race are provisional.
In a statement the WMSC noted “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.”
The FIA stated: “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.”
The FIA intends to involve F1 drivers in the discussion around the incident and intends for “meaningful feedback and conclusions [to] be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.”
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FIA statement on Abu Dhabi Grand Prix row
On Sunday, another FIA F1 world championship season of competitive excellence has concluded, and the credit goes to the participating drivers and teams. The FIA congratulates all of them for their performances in this year. It was a hard fight, and the best competition was displayed at each Grand Prix.
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 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.
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2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- I spoke up for Hamilton because he speaks up for others says fan behind Abu Dhabi petition
- ‘I can’t box?’: Hamilton and Verstappen’s 2021 Abu Dhabi GP radio transcript
- Masi did make mistake with title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP restart, Horner admits
- The omission in the FIA’s Abu Dhabi report which may store up trouble for the future
- How F1’s greenest debutant defied his doubters and left as its most experienced racer
Ninjenius
15th December 2021, 20:04
Ah, sorry FIA. Yeah at the end of the day it comes down to our “misunderstanding”.
Ninjenius
15th December 2021, 20:12
It’s a sad truth that the sport has truly descended to a level akin to a self-fulfulling propaganda-driven dictatorship.
Drivers being instructed not to publicly voice grievances about the sport. Broadcast pundits not having the guts to question the running of the sport so as to keep Liberty/FOM happy. The persistent push for sprint qualifying despite the considerable amount of negative feedback from fans and teams. And now the FIA fundamentally (albeit not explicitly) blames teams and fans for “misunderstanding” protocol and tarnishing the championship. This is Formula One everybody.
skydiverian (@skydiverian)
15th December 2021, 20:20
Have to agree. It’s borderline insulting that the FIA have posted this. And it couldn’t be more tone-deaf.
Now left hoping that Mercedes take the FIA to the cleaners.
Shakey (@shakey66)
15th December 2021, 21:07
This smacks of the FIA doing a deal with Mercedes so they can avoid the huge embarrassment of having to announce a ‘provisional’ WDC at the FIA prize giving ceremony tomorrow evening.
Polweiss
16th December 2021, 3:14
Mercedes should get a reprimand and radio to the race director be banned from next year on.
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 20:20
That was my reaction, too.
No, there has not been a misunderstanding. There has been a significant overstep, at best, by the most significant official at the pinnacle of motorsport. Stop trying to blame fans and teams for your mistake.
This has made me really angry.
Jean-Christophe
15th December 2021, 20:42
Not playing the devil’s advocate here but if they were to admit that they were wrong, that could be ammunition to Mercedes lawyer.
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 20:47
Maybe so, but this statement is a complete slap in the face. Were I in Mercedes shoes, this would just throw fuel on the fire and make me more determined to press on. It certainly makes me less likely to “drop it”, personally.
Ninjenius
15th December 2021, 20:50
In which case that would paint an even dimmer view of how FIA perceives the fans of the sport they govern. Throwing fans under the bus to protect their hides. Surely there were other ways to not weaponise Mercedes’ lawyers without dragging the fans into this.
Adam Hardwick (@fluxsource)
15th December 2021, 21:14
The alternative – and wisest – thing to do would be just to keep their mouth shut. Keep the *provisional caveat where they have to, pretend it’s all fine at the Gala tomorrow, and save talking about this until the get to the courtroom.
Tone deaf and silly from the FIA. Exactly what I’ve come to expect.
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 21:31
If they just keep quiet, the time limit will pass and the matter will be dropped. They need to file their appeal, and AFAIK the presentation will not take place if they have because the results are still provisional.
RomTrain (@romtrain)
15th December 2021, 22:02
@drmouse he meant, FIA should stay quiet, not Merc should let their timeframe expire
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 22:49
Ah, apologies. Frustration and anger are doing odd things to my brain right now. I’m not used to getting this angry at things. I’m not far off being as upset as when my first wife left me.
Adam Hardwick (@fluxsource)
16th December 2021, 1:45
@drmous @romtrain
You are both correct – I was referring to the FIA and this condescending rubbish they’ve put out.
Totally agree with you on the frustration and anger. I had hoped F1 was past things like this, but I was sadly mistaken. If the result is allowed to stand, I won’t be following F1 any longer.
Esteban (@esteban)
15th December 2021, 22:51
They’re doing exactly what Hollywood et al have been doing for a number of years now, haven’t you noticed? No need for invoking a dictatorship.
yloops
15th December 2021, 23:33
This. I have been disgusted by the lack of backbone by pundits and some drivers. Will buxton put it best when Jolyon Palmer made a joke about Michael Masi saying words to the effect of ” I dont wanna lose my job” when it was mentioned. Sky, drivers, even some in the media have skirted around the issue, heck even jolyon Palmers analysis on the incident felt on F1 TV like something produced by the media in Iran, China, Saudi… clearly unable to speak freely.
The drivers know it, the media knows it, the fans know it… what has happened is rotten and stinks bad. Theyve clearly alluded to it without being able to say it clearly. its insulting when they push they are both worthy champions narrative and dont address the core issue… in a sport that is meant to be fair, one man had the power to unilatterally decide who won the championship. Thats the bad part and the fact that the FIA then backed him up by rejecting the protest and likely any appeal going forward is the actual scary part.
Whether the motivation is exciting Tv or bias against one team or another, in a fair sport based on rules, no one man should have such power to affect the outcome of an entire championship in such a way, where there are clear rules and guidelines that could and should have been applied correctly.
What makes sport engaging and beautiful, its that competitors play to the same rules. When that goes out the window in favour of exciting tv at best or the need for a particular team or driver to win for financial reasons, all within the hands of one man, then something is fundementally wrong with the sport.
Im upset because, they have brought the sport I love into disrepute and shattered the credibility of it in front of everyone. I am royally upset.
GeeMac (@geemac)
16th December 2021, 5:45
You won’t get independent opinion from people on FOM’s payroll. As good as Buxton is, he is no longer an independent voice in the paddock.
RomTrain (@romtrain)
16th December 2021, 6:35
+1
iCarbs (@icarby)
16th December 2021, 6:47
Well said yloops.
I’m still peeved… well this will be an interesting 24 hours. My gut tells me that Mercs won’t proceed.
Alzi
17th December 2021, 19:54
Well said yloops. I’m so disgusted with this, it’s bye bye F1. I’ll stick with other sports from now on. If I were an F1 sponsor, I’d pull the plug immediately.
Scott
16th December 2021, 8:00
When they came for the integrity of pole in sprints,I did nothing
When they came for real race fans at spa I did nothing
Tricky (@tricky)
16th December 2021, 8:22
Didn’t think the FIA could disrespect the fans any further, but they found a way. Unreal.
Bulgarian (@bulgarian)
15th December 2021, 23:41
FIA could not be more cynical. It is so disgusting!
DaveW (@dmw)
16th December 2021, 2:29
They will be sorry “if anyone was offended.”
OOliver
16th December 2021, 8:17
Of course they will be.
I expect the report to contain nothing less than the following data or it will be unacceptable.
1. Wind speed.
2. Track temperature.
3. Race control room temp.
4. Promimity of race control to start finish line.
5. Lighting conditions.
6. Picture of Grosjean’s burnt glove.
9. Current sizes of carpets and respective price.
10. BROOM.
Coventry Climax
16th December 2021, 16:46
Basically, they lack the ability to communicate unambigous too:
“The FIA’s primary responsibility at any event is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the integrity of the sport.”
So which is it? Because it’s no different to “my primary responsability is making you happy and having my bank account grow beyond dreams.”
And this:
“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.”
To me, it’s either a mandate or not, ‘clear’ has nothing to do with it.
A mandate for proposal? Nice, but who will write the proposal, who will decide over it and do we get to know the contents of it?
Identified meaningful feedback? And who, you think, decides whether the feedback is meaningful? The same club that decided that the half races on saturday were unanimously declared a succes?
It’s just blah, and nothing will change.
Mark
15th December 2021, 20:05
Sounds like something Vince McMahon would say!
Catalin Mihai
15th December 2021, 20:06
FIA has finally has woke up….Masi should have been fired until now..
Hannesch (@hannesch)
15th December 2021, 20:07
So a drop of the appeal is imminent.
Can’t see the FIA release such a statement before they know if MB will drop the appeal. This would be fuel for their barristers.
BasCB (@bascb)
15th December 2021, 20:11
That would make sense, yeah @hannesch
Shakey (@shakey66)
15th December 2021, 21:08
+1.
yloops
15th December 2021, 23:29
Yup. I jope MB don’t but it seems so.
Tricky (@tricky)
16th December 2021, 8:25
I think you are probably right, but if the FIA have managed to calm the waters with Mercedes, at the same time they have fanned the flames with fans because apparently we misunderstood the point of this sport.
MacLeod (@macleod)
16th December 2021, 8:35
This could be also what Mercedes demanded to drop the charges/Appeal……
Catalin Mihai
15th December 2021, 20:08
It wasn’t a misunderstanding.Horner asked Masi to change his mind and this stupid Race Director did what Horner said,.It’s quite simple..
Barry Bens (@barryfromdownunder)
15th December 2021, 20:25
Ah yes, just like when Wolff asked Masi not to bring in the safety car for the first incident
:clown:
MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
15th December 2021, 20:34
wasn’t a great Moment for sure. didn’t lead to the race director throwing the rulebook out of the window though.
OOliver
16th December 2021, 8:31
Because Mercedes knew what Masi was capable of.
erikje
15th December 2021, 20:37
You do know the demands Toto made do you?
And i do not mean the petulant yelling and screaming to the race director totally lacking any respect.
It was nice to see how Toto like a toddler was corrected and silenced.
But his demands during the race are really unbelievable. Not asking like Horner did, but demanding. i.e. the vsc situation with Giovinacci. https://racingnews365.com/f1-boss-wants-to-stop-teams-hassling-masi-during-races
John H (@john-h)
15th December 2021, 20:52
Toto was bang out of order (akin to Horner’s rogue marshal comment), and of course Horner is going to try his best to pursudae Masi to have lapped cars overtake so I have no problem with that. Masi has allowed this to happen through weak management though.
Personally though I found that comment by Masi completely unprofessional and the worst part about this whole situation, regardless of what side you’re on. The race director should be above that Netflix soundbite and avoid taking the centre stage.
James Fowlie
15th December 2021, 23:36
Masi did not want all the wanted the lapped cars to overtake. Onl the ones in between Hamilton and Verstappen. If all the lapped cars were allowed to overtake as the rules state the hamilton would have won.
Hannesch (@hannesch)
15th December 2021, 21:02
The telling versus asking was out of order, but calling the race director mikey was unbelievable.
It should cost Toto a race ban. He was so out of order there.
Try to do that in other sports, like say rugby and you wouldn’t be allowed in the field for a long time.
Adam Penny
16th December 2021, 1:16
Fact is that all team managers have been allowed to lobby and cajole the race director over the radio. Only Christian Horner got the rules rewritten on the fly by the race director at his request though.
Polweiss
16th December 2021, 3:19
Absolutely right. Merc should get a reprimand and communication to the race director banned in the future
Dale Foster
16th December 2021, 11:33
the problem isn’t though what either team said, of course, if allowed, all the teams will lobby for the decisions they want, like a manager will appeal a foul in football etc, problem is that in football the manager shouts on from the side or rows with a 4th official, not making the decisions, but in F1 they have a line direct line to the referees ear. Horner is getting undeserved flack because we all would lobby the ref for our teams benefit, the ref should not have to argue his decisions during the race, and should be indifferent to the teams requests, also teams shouldn’t be allowed to lobby the race director for decisions, especially regarding track safety decisions. of course the teams will and we only get to hear the messages the TV director plays out, I’m sure teams up and down the pit lane also lobby the race director for the decisions that help their race. It needs to stop completely!!
Chris F1
15th December 2021, 23:58
I agree, Horner pressurised Masi who then duly caved in to the request without a squeak – wonder why ? Masi must go. As for Horner my thought are neither polite or printable
David K
15th December 2021, 20:09
that’s all? tomorrow is deadline day, i don’t think it will be enough… where are the sentences like “we were wrong”, “we’re sorry”, “this will never happen again” etc…
David
15th December 2021, 20:10
that’s all? tomorrow is deadline day, i don’t think it will be enough… where are the sentences like “we were wrong”, “we’re sorry”, “this will never happen again” etc…
petebaldwin (@)
15th December 2021, 20:21
You expect the FIA to say “we’re sorry, we were wrong” the day before the deadline to appeal?
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 20:22
But, according to this statement, they weren’t wrong, we’ve just misunderstood.
😡
Steve (@scbriml)
15th December 2021, 23:31
@drmouse Yes, it’s all our fault for not understanding what happened.
Mark (@blueruck)
15th December 2021, 20:32
Isn’t tomorrow also the awards ceremony?
Adam Hardwick (@fluxsource)
15th December 2021, 21:15
@blueruck What a coincidence!
BasCB (@bascb)
15th December 2021, 20:10
Good try FIA, seems to make sense. But then it does mean that we, and especially Mercedes, have to accept that this really is the result of the race and the championship.
I do think it is badly needed. And I am unsure Mercedes can achieve much good for themselves or F1s future with appealing. but we’ll see what happens.
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 20:36
@bascb more than that, it means that all of us need to accept that the race director can literally just make up new rules whenever he wants. Next year be prepared for a safety car every time the leader gets more than 15s ahead, and only cars which have sent Masi flowers being allowed to unlap themselves after a safety car.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th December 2021, 6:47
I would think (hope?) that is exactly the part they want to get that “meaningful feedback and conclusions” on, to put that cat firmly back into it’s box @drmouse.
Otherwise, as you mention, this could become a huge mess.
drmouse (@drmouse)
16th December 2021, 8:54
@bascb but if it’s the fans and drivers who have misunderstood and need clarification, that strongly implies (at the very least) that the FIA believes the race director should have absolute and unrestricted power to make up any rules he wants with regard the safety car (and start procedure). It points towards them clarifying that power to the fans, not restricting that power.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th December 2021, 8:59
Nah, that is just the FIA trying to admit things went wrong and need changing without actually wanting to admit out in the open that it was on them @drmouse.
Things have been “clarified” in the past where it more or less completely contradicted what happened in a race right/ruling on an incident that happened right before that.
drmouse (@drmouse)
16th December 2021, 9:04
@bascb if that’s what happens, then I will accept it. I currently cannot see it happening. It may just be that this statement, which is badly worded and insensitive at a bare minimum, is as you say, but to me it’s a blatant insult to all the fans and drivers to tell us that we just misunderstood the rules.
I’m still livid about it and won’t believe it till I see it.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th December 2021, 9:08
There really is no good reason to put out such a statement unless they were going to adress at least something @drmouse. I agree that we need to be very sceptical because they are almost certainly not going to want to make a lot of change if they don’t have to.
Then again, how many days until Todt signs off as FIA president? He will not want to leave this completely out in the open, so will want to get some kind of conclusion soon.
drmouse (@drmouse)
16th December 2021, 9:13
@bascb I do expect them to do something: “Clarify” that the race director can do whatever the heck he wants, possibly even strengthening that article in the rules, and put out comms to the fans to ensure they “understand”.
I’m aware that I may be reading this in the worst possible light because of how angry I still am over all this. I truly hope that this does turn out to be a catalyst for change, but right now I cannot see it. I’m going to have to see strong evidence that such change is going to happen before I change my mind.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th December 2021, 9:21
That wouldn’t need any clarification though @drmouse. It seems to already what we are at after the verdict of the stewards in Abu Dhabi on Mercedes appeal.
In that case it would have been far easier to just thank the stewards for settling the issue and annouce that you move on.
The only reason to announce a clarification at all is to now limit or define the room to do as he likes / feels is needed at the moment.
This also will be a NEW FIA president who will be heading the clarification part, since Todt and his team are out after this Friday, meaning that it allows the new team to actually be able to pick up with a positive not of “hey look we sat down with the teams, drivers and looked at things and as the great fresh new guys in charge we were so benevolent to make some changes to improve from 2022 onwards“
drmouse (@drmouse)
16th December 2021, 9:23
@bascb again, I hope so, but I will believe it when I see it.
H-Bomb
16th December 2021, 10:15
Now I have had more time to think about it, the stewards decision is them covering themselves and to be fair to them it was probably the right move for them.
They are not legal experts, so confirmed 48.12 was only partially completed, but then said 48.13 and 15.3 could override 48.12. Basically they held the status quo, defined where the issues were and kicked it upstairs to the FIA Court of Appeal if Mercedes wishes to take in further. There all the lawyers for both sides can sort it out and a proper judge can resolve the issue.
We all know in the past the FIA like to resolve things to their benefit, but need to be very careful because the European court is waiting in the wings and they would be more than happy to get involved if it appears the FIA and FOM have influenced each other.
Having an FIA created court, rule on if the FIA officials themselves have broken the rules is the last thing the FIA want or need. Unless they find in favour of Mercedes if the appeal goes ahead, then the accusations of bias and the FIA fixing the court case will be talked about for ever. Actually whatever they decide the accusations of bias will go on for ever.
They could also be forced in change their charter to allow an independent court to have final jurisdiction over all cases such as CAS. Remember the FIA twenty years ago was forced to split the FIA and FOM into two independent bodies by the European Commission
Press Release from The European Commission below :
IP/01/1523
Brussels, 30 October 2001
Commission closes its investigation into Formula One and other four-wheel motor sports
The competition department of the European Commission has informed the four-wheel motor sports regulator, the Fédération Internationale d’Automobile (FIA), and the Formula One companies that it has closed the various anti-trust investigations into certain regulations and commercial arrangements involving that sport. This action was made possible after the parties agreed to make changes which limit the FIA to a regulatory role, so as to prevent any conflict of interests, and remove certain commercial restrictions put on circuit owners and TV broadcasters. Developments in the sector will be kept under scrutiny to ensure that the changes work in practice.
The Commission’s investigation of the FIA regulations and commercial agreements relating to the FIA Formula One Championship came about following voluntary notifications in 1994 and 1997 requesting clearance from European competition rules. The Commission objected to certain of the rules in 1999 on the grounds that FIA had abused its power by putting unnecessary restrictions on promoters, circuit owners, vehicle manufacturers and drivers as well as to certain provisions in the commercial agreements with television broadcasters.
The Commission fully recognises the need for organisations such as the FIA to regulate the organisation of its sport, its sporting rules and its competitions. However, the spectacular transformation of sports such as football and motor racing into ‘big business’ has inevitably led to third party challenges of certain rules and commercial agreements under the European Union competition rules.
Following discussions with Competition Commissioner Mario Monti, the FIA agreed to modify its rules to bring them into line with EU law. After consulting interested third parties and the Member States, the Commission is now ready to close the file. The modifications introduced by FIA will ensure that :
• The role of FIA will be limited to that of a sports regulator, with no commercial conflicts of interest;
• The FIA rules are not used to prevent or impede new competitions unless justified on grounds related to the safe, fair or orderly conduct of motor sport;
• Internal and external appeals procedures against FIA decisions are strengthened.
To prevent conflicts of interest, FIA has sold all its rights in the FIA Formula One World Championship and will allow the creation of potential inter- and intra-brand competition between Formula One and similar races and series.
The FIA will, therefore, have no influence over the commercial exploitation of the Formula One Championship.
In addition, FIA and SLEC/FOA, the companies in charge of the commercial exploitation of Formula One, agreed to various changes in the commercial agreements for Formula One designed to lower or remove barriers to entry for the creation and operation of other motor sport series, in particular those that might compete with Formula One. This was achieved, for example, by removing restrictions in circuit contracts about the hosting of other motor sports events.
Aside from the Commission’s concern to ensure that FIA’s role is limited to that of sports regulator, the Commission has also taken into account the effect that valuable TV sports rights can have on national broadcasting markets. To this end, FOA agreed to modify the current agreements and offered certain commitments for their future conduct. In particular, broadcasters in the various countries will be invited to tender for the TV rights on the expiry of the current (and any future) contracts.
The parties have also agreed to reduce the length of new free to air broadcasting contracts to a maximum of three years (except for contracts where specific investments justify a length of up to five years).
Background
The Commission issued a Statement of Objections in the above case in 1999.
The parties proposed a number of changes to the notified arrangements, which led to the Commission publishing a Notice pursuant to Article 19(3) of Regulation 17 on 13 June 2001. The Notice indicated that the Commission took a positive view of the changes and invited third parties to comment on the changes before the Commission reached a final position. No new information was brought to the Commission’s attention in this public consultation process.
The agreement between the FIA and FOA for the sale of any rights that the FIA may have in Formula One has been concluded for a period of 100 years. On the expiry of this period, the rights will revert to the FIA. The effective separation of the FIA’s commercial and regulatory roles will during this time be ensured by the fact that FIA’s interests will be represented by an independent third party. The role of this third party will be solely to safeguard this reversionary interest, and the third party will not be involved in the commercial exploitation of Formula One.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th December 2021, 10:15
Yes, it IS very reasonable to wait and see what they actually do change, since they will surely want to change as little as they can get away with.
Given the last statement by Mercedes, it is obvious that Mercedes has told the FIA in no uncertain manner, that they MUST change things or see the company change their mind on F1 as a sport @drmouse.
Cobray (@)
16th December 2021, 7:05
@bascb What Todt is trying in my opinion is to make Mercedes look like the villain. By starting this process Mercedes can’t claim they are doing the appeal for clarity and the ‘good of F1’.
Regardless of what was possible should have happened red flag, send lapped cars earlier, or just end behind the safety car, etc. Mercedes are right to be furious and should absolutely protest but for their driver, not for the ‘good of F1’ which nobody from the teams cares anyway, let’s be real.
Now if after the appeal Max keeps the crown or Hamilton wins the championship by the appeal everybody should make peace with it.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th December 2021, 7:45
I actually think there might be a bit of “ok Mercedes we will address this for the future but do it without admitting it was us making the mess and without influencing the result of the 2021 championship” @cobray.
Could well be there was some coordination or at least contact on this with Mercedes to see if they would “bite”
OOliver
16th December 2021, 8:40
The question I ask is why is it Mercedes keep suspecting Masi is up to no good. How come Masi keeps confirming their suspicions.
If the claim is true that Mercedes came to the race with a barrister and have never done that previously, it certainly implies that they suspected a cooked up ending which we all knew was coming.
The good of the sport is more important than that of the driver because the driver will benifit from what is good for the sport. We must also agree that what is good for the sport may not always be good for TV or Netflix people and all those with an entitlement mentality.
Rascasse
15th December 2021, 20:11
And there it is. Now for MGP to come out from their sulk, confirm they won’t be appealing, and F1 life goes on. Hopefully some good will come of this: Masi gets a few more team members to help with the procedures, and one focal point to handle the team principals for example.
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 20:25
Nothing significant will change, because we’ve misunderstood, the FIA and Masi haven’t done anything wrong…
If I was in Mercedes shoes, I wouldn’t be dropping it, and this statement just tells me they plan to keep on doing the same. The officials will be allowed to ignore the rules whenever they want and we can like it or lump it.
Rascasse
15th December 2021, 20:58
As others have noted I don’t think the FIA would have put out this statement if MGP were going to launch their appeal. I suspect words have been exchanged behind the scenes.
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 21:08
If so, I cannot see my patronage of F1 continuing. From this statement, nothing is going to change, and I cannot watch the only sport I love become a game show where the officials can make up rules on a whim with impunity.
I still hold out hope, but the only way anything will improve its if someone powerful enough, or enough powerful-enough people, stand up to them and tell them no.
H-Bomb
16th December 2021, 10:31
See my post above, this is an incredibly dangerous moment for the FIA and its current structure, if the Mercedes appeal goes ahead. The European Commission and courts could investigate the FIA as they are a sports regulator only. If commercial interests have influenced the decisions of the FIA and their officials or if the FIA Court of Appeal is deemed to not be independent, then EU law has been broken then all bets are off.
Adam Hardwick (@fluxsource)
15th December 2021, 21:16
Unless this is just the FIA puffing their chest out to try and get Mercedes to back down.
Steve (@scbriml)
15th December 2021, 23:34
This statement was clearly released in the hope of persuading Mercedes to withdraw their appeal. It’s a day late and a dollar short. It’s basically insulting all of us by saying we misunderstood what happened and they don’t want it to spoil there very glitzy award show. Boo hoo.
Jay (@slightlycrusty)
16th December 2021, 8:40
@scbriml That’s how I read it too. If a deal had been done they would have jointly agreed the wording, something along the lines of: “Mercedes accepts the result of the championship, the FIA promises to conduct a review of stewarding”.
Instead, what we got was frankly insulting: “Pundits, teams, drivers and fans appear confused. The FIA will try to explain it simply to you simpletons”. I’ve no idea why the FIA would issue such a statement, it is just digging its heels in.
William Stuart (@williamstuart)
15th December 2021, 23:23
I really really hope Mercedes appeal this to the hills now.
David Kassab
16th December 2021, 0:40
This could open the door for a better process. I should think Merc didn’t want to bring in Lewis as they would lose track position on both the VSC and SC, and the last time they did bring in Lewis and Valterri shortly after losing track position, they red flagged the race so Max got not only track position but also fresh tires. I think you say a crash with less than 10 laps, red flag, let everyone put on fresh tires and sprint to the finish. or retain track position and time delta to the car behind
Jim
15th December 2021, 20:11
Sooo…it’s everyone else’s misunderstanding of the FIA? Frankly this is just condescending to the fans.
Valandil (@valandil)
15th December 2021, 20:13
Apprently not
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
15th December 2021, 20:23
+ 1. On integrity exactly what they failed to do.
drmouse (@drmouse)
15th December 2021, 20:49
+1000000
RomTrain (@romtrain)
15th December 2021, 22:13
it is their responsibility, i can agree to this statement.
the statement does not rate whether they fulfilled this responsibility in the WDC decision.
the statement can even be understood as they acknowledge integrity stands above the show, feeling the need to assure this, as they know their doing was badly wrong.
Robert (@rob8k)
15th December 2021, 22:37
@valandil “at any event”. So not all events then?
Red Andy (@red-andy)
15th December 2021, 23:20
Good one @rob8k!
Adam Hardwick (@fluxsource)
16th December 2021, 1:46
@rob8k bravo!
BasCB (@bascb)
16th December 2021, 6:50
:-) ha @rob8k
Steve (@scbriml)
15th December 2021, 23:36
@valandil Clearly, that integrity doesn’t go as far as them actually releasing the report on which this word-salad is based. That would be far too transparent.
Stephen H
15th December 2021, 20:14
Bit rich.
ian dearing
15th December 2021, 20:20
As I thought, a quick review of the conduct of the FIA, by the FIA, found the FIA acted appropriately.
Mark (@blueruck)
15th December 2021, 20:29
+1 :)
N
15th December 2021, 20:57
Yep.
Steve (@scbriml)
15th December 2021, 23:37
Rinse and repeat.
I wonder who the FIA has decided will win the 2022 WDC?
LEMAYIAN (@lems)
15th December 2021, 20:21
Could they really hit any low, as if that was not the nadir!! This all goes to show how the FIA really messed up that last lap. I am very sure if rules were followed to the letter, all stakeholders would’ve accepted the results with no feeling of injustice.
MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
15th December 2021, 20:26
Last i checked the FIA Was the Party responsible for any tarnishing going on. not sure i’d feel soothed by being attacked for having been wronged but hey
David BR (@david-br)
15th December 2021, 20:59
@mrboerns Exactly, quite amazing that FIA are accusing unknown entities for ‘tarnishing’ F1’s image when Mercedes have been completely silent since the race ended. Or perhaps all the current drivers, former drivers, pundits and public who are tarnishing Formula 1 by objecting to their fiasco of a show?
Mark (@blueruck)
15th December 2021, 20:28
You know it is getting hot in the kitchen when the FIA had to say something. This is the political side of this issue playing out.
My thoughts for Merc, don’t buy it and press on. Make the FIA really talk about 2021 and the multiple issues created by the Race Director and Stewards. Main 2 issues being consistently inconsistent and the final 2 laps of the season.
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
15th December 2021, 20:29
I think RIC said it best as he finished the race and told his engineer something like “I’m glad I wasn’t part of that, it was fd up.”