The FIA is debating how to go after the contentious conclusion to the 2021 Formula One season in Abu Dhabi.
The FIA, F1’s governing body, met this week to discuss the inquiry into the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
According to RacingNews365.com, the meetings in Geneva are being headed by new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, as well as Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid, who is in charge of the “detailed analysis” of the race’s final phases.
After a late Safety Car period, F1 Race Director Michael Masi restarted the race for one lap, having only cleared the lapped cars between title contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, a review was conducted.
Hamilton had led the race up until that moment, but was powerless to stop Verstappen, who had pitted under the Safety Car for new tyres, from racing by on the final lap to win the race and the championship.
Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff stated his irritation with the situation on the radio at the time, and later admitted that he and Hamilton had been left “disillusioned,” with neither attending the FIA’s end-of-season Prize-Giving Gala.
Mercedes filed two post-race protests, both of which were dismissed by the stewards, before threatening to file an appeal, which they ultimately decided not to do.
Abu Dhabi review is of the highest priority for the FIA
Since taking office, Ben Sulayem is said to have made the review his top priority.
All department heads are in present for this week’s discussions, from which suggestions will be presented at the next World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting on 3 February – just in time for pre-season testing.
Wolff recently claimed that “the whole decision-making system” in F1 has to be changed, expressing hope that all stakeholders can collaborate to learn and apply any lessons for the future.
Masi’s role as Race Director was rumored earlier this week after an FIA ‘General Organisation’ organigram surfaced without his name named.
According to an FIA statement in the end of 2021, Masi is expected to report to Single-Seater Manager and Sports Secretary Peter Bayer.
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