(Paris) Following the controversial final of the last Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season last Sunday, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile announced that it would hold “a detailed analysis and clarification exercise” in order to “Learn from this situation”.
In a statement published on its website on Wednesday afternoon, the FIA mentioned at the outset the “large number of reactions” generated by the outcome of the last Grand Prix, which featured two drivers tied in the standings for the first times since 1974. Let us recall that this one was played at 53e turn, when an accident forced the safety car out.
She withdrew with only one lap to go. At that point, the race management decided to ask the latecomers to exclude themselves from the restart to leave Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in a one-on-one fight. The Dutchman, who trailed throughout the race, took the opportunity to get ahead of the Briton in the dying seconds and win his first career coronation.
In the following hours, the Federation rejected two protests submitted by Mercedes against the final result. Since then, critics have fired against sport. According to the Federation, this controversy “currently tarnishes the image of the championship”.
Thus, “in a constant concern for improvement”, one writes, FIA President Jean Todt “proposed to the World Motor Sport Council to hold a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all the parties concerned ”.
“This issue will be discussed and addressed with all teams and drivers to learn from this situation” and to “provide clarity to participants, media and fans on current regulations” in order to “preserve the competitive nature of our sport, while ensuring the safety of drivers and officials ”for the 2022 season.
According to the FIA, this analysis will benefit not only F1, but also “all the other championships on the circuit”. She also indicates that the president’s proposal was unanimously accepted by the World Board.