F1 figures frustrated as Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes wait to learn FIA inquiry results
Formula 1: Jenson Button on rumours of Lewis Hamilton retiring
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Formula One figures are bemused at why the FIA are still yet to confirm the structural changes they will make following the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, according to reports. A ‘high-level’ meeting on Monday was told that changes to race management may happen this week.
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are particularly keen to find out the results of an inquiry into the Abu Dhabi race as they are understood to have little confidence in race director Michael Masi following the contentious 2021 season finale.
Hamilton and rival Max Verstappen went into Abu Dhabi level on points in the title race and were effectively taking part in a winner-take-all event.
The Brit – who was attempting to win a record eighth world title – led for most of the race and seemed in control.
However, a safety car was then deployed and the race was eventually restarted on the final lap. Verstappen, on softer tyres, got the better of Hamilton and won his first world championship.
Mercedes had two protests thrown out before a court appeal was withdrawn.
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Many rumours have suggested that Hamilton would not take part in the 2022 season due to his disillusionment but his participation has since been confirmed.
However, there is a lot of frustration among senior figures at Mercedes and among the wider F1 community over the failure to make serious changes at the top of the FIA, according to the BBC.
When the FIA announced its inquiry into the Abu Dhabi event last December, it said it would present its findings to the F1 Commission in February.
And a statement from the FIA said that its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had “led detailed discussions” on the Abu Dhabi race at Monday’s meeting.
But at that meeting, F1 bosses were told by Sulayem and Peter Bayer, the FIA executive director of single-seaters, that the inquiry was not yet concluded.
“The FIA President led detailed discussions of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP,” a statement said.
“Feedback from the Commission on matters raised will be incorporated into the president’s analysis and he will publicly present news of structural changes and action plan in the coming days.”
Former F1 champion Jenson Button has suggested that race stewards should be allowed to assist on key calls in future, in a bid to ease pressure on the maligned Masi.
“It’s really tricky when it’s one individual,” Button told Sky Sports.
“But there has to be a man at the top and it always lands at his feet.
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“But no, I think it should be a decision between all of the stewards. Obviously the rules are the rules and whether he stuck to them – I heard he can manipulate them a little bit when it comes to the safety car, he’s in charge of the safety car.
“But when we’re told one thing and we hear another, especially the public and the fans of the sport whether you’re a supporter of Lewis or Max, it needs to be clear.
“So we all understand it and we’re all on the same page and we can just watch great racing. Watching these two last year, some of the best racing I’ve seen in motorsport.
“Not just Formula One, in motorsport. We need to think of last year as an exceptional year with a tough ending and come into 2022, we’ll have that same fight with a few other drivers added.”
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