FIAs blunt message to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen ahead of season finale

F1 preview: Abu Dhabi run-through as Verstappen and Hamilton go head-to-head

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Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been warned they could face severe punishments if they try any underhanded tactics at the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Both drivers are level on points at the top of the leaderboard as they prepare for a winner-takes-all scenario in the Middle East.

The pair have come to blows on a number of occasions this season and collided once again in Saudi Arabia at the weekend.

Verstappen put his brakes on to allow Hamilton to pass after being told to cede his lead to the Briton.

But Hamilton drove into the back of the Red Bull driver before eventually overtaking and winning the race.

As things stand, Verstappen is in the driving seat, with Hamilton needing more points than his nemesis in Abu Dhabi to claim championship victory.

If both drivers fail to finish, Verstappen would be crowed champion.

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And that has led some people to suggest that Verstappen could drive aggressively in the knowledge that any race-ending crash for Hamilton would see the title going the way of the Dutchman.

In his event notes ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, FIA’s race director, Michael Masi highlighted Article 12.2.1.I.

“Any infringement of the principles of fairness in competition, behaviour in an unsportsmanlike manner or attempt to influence the result of a competition in a way that is contrary to sporting ethics,” it states.

The regulation isn’t new, but Masi has felt it necessary to bring attention to it ahead of the season climax.

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And, referring to Article 12.4.5, Masi has said that disqualification or suspension is a possibility.

“For all the FIA championships, cups, challenges, trophies or series, the stewards may decide to impose the following penalties: suspension for one or more competitions, withdrawal of points for the championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series,” reads the sporting code.

In 1997 Michael Schumacher was disqualified after he was deemed to have attempted to end Jacques Villeneuve’s race at the final Grand Prix of the season in Jerez.

Schumacher went into the season climax at the top of the standings and would have won the title if Villeneuve failed to finish.

The German was ultimately unsuccessful in his endeavours and Villeneuve went on to win the title. Schumacher was subsequently stripped of second place.

And Masi has also highlighted that constructors could also be penalised for any unfair tactics by referring to Article 9.15.1.

“The competitor [ie the teams] shall be responsible for all acts or omissions on the part of any person taking part in, or providing a service in connection with, a competition or a championship on their behalf, including in particular their employees, direct or indirect, their drivers, mechanics, consultants, service providers, or passengers, as well as any person to whom the competitor has allowed access to the reserved areas,” it states.

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