Max Verstappen could be docked championship points vs Lewis Hamilton

12/09/2021

Formula 1 race director Michael Masi has discouraged title contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton from crashing into one another at Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

This season's world championship will be decided at the Yas Marina Circuit in the final race of 2021, and the leading duo enter the showdown level on points.

However, Verstappen has won nine races this campaign to Hamilton's eight, meaning that if neither driver finishes Sunday's race, the Red Bull marvel will clinch his maiden crown by default.

But joint-record seven-time champion Hamilton has received support in the form of FIA chief Masi, who has warned race officials can still hand out points penalties for any under-handed tactics.

"I can’t control the actions of the two individuals, only they can," said Masi.

"But within the regulations we have penalties, be it time or grid penalties. In addition, the International Sporting Code has provision for the stewards to disqualify a competitor or dock championship points.

"So, yes, Max could be deducted points, as could any team. We hope it isn’t necessary, but it is one of the tools available. I will remind all the teams and drivers of these provisions."

The pair's clash at last Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was but their latest coming together this season, which has been a particularly busy one for race stewards.

Hamilton's quality driving combined with Verstappen's aggressive style and a rabid hunger to win have led to numerous collisions in recent months.

Who do you think will be crowned 2021 F1 champion in Abu Dhabi? Let us know in the comments section.

There's a certain onus on the drivers themselves to be responsible and promote a fair contest, however, as Masi continued: "While they may not want to admit it, deep down they all know what is deemed legal, what is fair game, what is hard but fair racing and what is not.

"Every incident has to be treated separately. While they may look similar, they are not necessarily identical.

"There is a common belief I am responsible for the punishments meted out, but it is down to an independent panel of stewards to decide if a penalty is warranted."

They'll find it difficult to top the drama of last week's head-to-head in Jeddah, which ended with Hamilton claiming a third straight win following two red flags and three virtual safety cars.

Former McLaren and Red Bull driver David Coulthard even compared the F1 title race to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), such are the lengths to which both drivers are willing to go in pursuit of victory.

"If we look at UFC (sic), as far as I know there’s only two rules and it’s about below the belt and it’s about the eyes, and everything else goes," Coulthard told the F1 Nation Podcast.

"This now feels like Formula 1 has been redefined as F1 UFC, and pretty much anything is going, and then the stewards are stepping in."

Masi's update appears to dismiss the notion that Verstappen would be able to snatch the win merely by ramming his rival off the track.

In that event, Verstappen may still hold the edge in race wins, but a points penalty could result in him dropping from first place, even if Hamilton doesn't add to his own total.

Speaking earlier this week, the Dutchman's father, Jos, said his son "will do everything to get the win," though he stopped just short of admitting the Red Bull ace would resort to an intentional crash.

In the end, Masi wants to have as little input as possible when it comes to Sunday's final result: "I hope it is not decided in the stewards’ room but by the two guys out on the track. It is up to them and nobody else."

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