Abu Dhabi 2021 Race Thread

[Tifoso Svedese]

Toto doesn't need a white knight Tifosi1993 :-D

[ferrari1.8t]

I’m waiting for BLM to riot on behalf of Lewis. They seem to like to burn and loot stuff when they don’t get their way. Can’t wait for the posts and articles from the British media about how this is just more examples of “white supremacy” and “institutional racism”

LOL

Sad part about your post is I can see it happening. Rich white man steals championship from poor black man…

[WS6TransAm01]

Sad part about your post is I can see it happening. Rich white man steals championship from poor black man…

It already happened when Italy beat England in soccer.

[tpe]

It's the British press all over MV just like they were against MS.
I want one and only one thing from Ferrari next year.

CRUSH THEM

[Lesky]

Time limit on this? Is it a matter of hours? Or can this be re-solved tomorrow?

[nani_s23]

Time limit on this? Is it a matter of hours? Or can this be re-solved tomorrow?

This won’t settle here overnight or tomorrow. This will definitely go to court.

[Nick Singer]

What an utter, utter shambles!

I am NO FAN of Lewis Hamilton or Mercedes but that was no way to decide a WDC. I said (on Twitter), the moment Max crossed the line, that it would end in court. Let us see.

HAM (unlike Toto!) was pretty gracious considering.

Masi needs sacking and the race stewarding system needs a huge overhaul. Far too much of teams 'negotiating' with ("Will you take that?") and arguing with the stewards and race officials and the cluster**** today was an embarrassment.

Max probably deserves it although whatever the haters on here may think or say, HAM didn't achieve seven titles by not being one of the top half dozen of all time and the best of the current crop.

[Prepares for avalanche of **** from the nutters..]

[Ferrarichamp]

it reminds me a bit of 2007 when McLaren-Mercedes could not accept Kimi and Ferrari winning the titles in the last race, and we heard some nonsense about cold fuel temperatures.

[WS6TransAm01]

What an utter, utter shambles!

I am NO FAN of Lewis Hamilton or Mercedes but that was no way to decide a WDC. I said (on Twitter), the moment Max crossed the line, that it would end in court. Let us see.

HAM (unlike Toto!) was pretty gracious considering.

Masi needs sacking and the race stewarding system needs a huge overhaul. Far too much of teams 'negotiating' with ("Will you take that?") and arguing with the stewards and race officials and the cluster**** today was an embarrassment.

Max probably deserves it although whatever the haters on here may think or say, HAM didn't achieve seven titles by not being one of the top half dozen of all time and the best of the current crop.

[Prepares for avalanche of **** from the nutters..]

Hamilton is a gifted driver no doubt, but most of what he has achieved came from the FIA giving Merc all the room to explore gray areas of the regs while instantly cracking down on all others. Starting from the two year advantage they had making the current engine formula, to the secret tire test, to being allowed to keep DAS all year. There is no way that Hamilton would have had 7 WDCs if it wasn’t for Merc having their way with the FIA. ZERO.

[Tifoso Svedese]

What an utter, utter shambles!

[Prepares for avalanche of **** from the nutters..]

Hey Nick, Norwich playing better lately? :-)

[Nick Singer]

Mercedes definitely had some 'help' along the way.

But having watched the way HAM qualified, raced, climbed through the field and dealt with all comers is not down to the FIA. The Merc was the fastest car for most of the hybrid era - and that sure helped. But to claim he won seven titles by default is what in God's own country (still, just...) we call b0ll0cks! Look at BOT the donkey - same car, dismal performance..

We (Ferrari) failed on a number of fronts (just car, ICE, strategy etc!!!) and it was up to others to catch Mercedes. Nobody did - apart from the fizzy drink mob who got very close and even they couldn't do the Constructors this year.

[TTRSMAD]

There is no way they are going to strip Max from the title. The FIA should call Mercedes top management and have TOTO sit down and shut up. They are making F1 look bad.

It s not enough having 8 years of dominance with the preferential hybrid engine rules and playing the whole field with their engine. He should learn to lose with grace like everybody did and I hope he will next year too.

[wisepie]

Most disappointing aspect for me (disregarding the chaotic last laps and subsequent protests by Merc) is that Charles lost out to Lando for P6 in the drivers by 1pt and Carlos overtook both of them to take P5! Why did they pit Charles under the VSC, losing several places which he couldn't recover. He did manage to scrape 1pt for 10th at the finish but he's been unlucky this season. Carlos has been consistent and reliable all season, but I still believe Charles is quicker overall, and if the 2022 car is competitive, we have the best driver pairing on the grid. I hope that Max as champion stands, but he will likely be one of most dreaded competitors next year.

[Nick Singer]

Hey Nick, Norwich playing better lately? :-)

Was at yesterday's match. Sorensen (never played before in that position!) had CR7 (who apart from a good penalty was poor) in his pocket. Our team - with several injuries, illness and losing our captain early on - still matched Utd throughout and only a fairly soft 'big six club' penalty did for us. Sadly, unless we score some goals, we'll be back down despite playing decent football.

Next!

[nani_s23]

Mercedes and Red Bull leaving the stewards again. Red Bull unhappy Merc came prepared with a QC.
RB team : We are a race team. We did not come here with a QC. We did not come ready to protest

[Nick Singer]

FIA can't lose face. I doubt they'll strip Max of the title and I cannot believe they'd decide to split the title to two WDCs.

They COULD, however, cancel the race result leaving Max the Champion on races won. Pretty mad but possible scenario?

Whatever the final outcome, the race officiating appears to have been an utter balls-up..

[Nick Singer]

Mercedes and Red Bull leaving the stewards again. Red Bull unhappy Merc came prepared with a QC

Quelle surprise! I ******* despise Wolff..

[Nick Singer]

I’m waiting for BLM to riot on behalf of Lewis. They seem to like to burn and loot stuff when they don’t get their way. Can’t wait for the posts and articles from the British media about how this is just more examples of “white supremacy” and “institutional racism”

LOL

It will be a combination of white privilege, institutional waaythithm, Trump and Brexit!

:-D

[nani_s23]

@Martin Brundle : Christian Horner just said to me nothing decided yet but he expects a decision tonight. Presumably the losing side will then appeal anyway

[Nick Singer]

#Shambles

[Nick Singer]

WTH!?

You're crazy.

Exactly!

[JPZ]

Congratulations to Max Verstappen!

What an epic race!!!

[nani_s23]

DECISION: Protest dismissed regarding overtaking behind the Safety Car

One of the protests of Mercedes is dismissed. That is the one which accused Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton under Safety Car (Art. 48.8). But second protest still pending.

[nani_s23]

Mercedes are using Paul Harris QC for their case against the race decisions today…

This is the same man that got Man City out of their UEFA ban last year and succeeded in the largest ever UK damages action (Merricks v. Mastercard)

What Mercedes allege is that the dramatic final lap should not have occurred at all.

"Red Bull are unhappy that Mercedes have decided to protest in the first place, and that they have brought a QC here.

[WS6TransAm01]

Mercedes definitely had some 'help' along the way.

But having watched the way HAM qualified, raced, climbed through the field and dealt with all comers is not down to the FIA. The Merc was the fastest car for most of the hybrid era - and that sure helped. But to claim he won seven titles by default is what in God's own country (still, just...) we call b0ll0cks! Look at BOT the donkey - same car, dismal performance..

We (Ferrari) failed on a number of fronts (just car, ICE, strategy etc!!!) and it was up to others to catch Mercedes. Nobody did - apart from the fizzy drink mob who got very close and even they couldn't do the Constructors this year.

You’re assuming Bottas had the “same car”. You’re saying Merc didn’t make any updates to the engine they recently put in Hamilton’s car? You know, for reliability. Further, I don’t think he cared much today. He’s leaving and he had to eat doo doo from Merc for years, I would have retired the car if I was him.

Yes, I am saying that without the FIA allowing Merc to basically cheat in creating their cars with the engine head start and the secret tire test and so on that Hamilton would not have 7 WDCs right now.

He has benefited from a team which was allowed to exploit gray areas while others were not.

[Nick Singer]

Don't get angry - get even!

[Tifoso Svedese]

Actual the rest championship:

Bahrain:
1. Norris (25)
2. Leclerc (18)
4. Sainz (12)

Imola:

1. Norris (50)
2. Leclerc (36)
3. Sainz (28)

Portugal:

1. Leclerc (61)
2. Norris (68)
4. Sainz (40)

Spain:

1. Leclerc (86)
3. Sainz (55)
4. Norris (80)

Monaco:

1. Sainz (80)
2. Norris (98)
DNS. Leclerc (86)

Azerbaijan:
3. Leclerc (101)
4. Norris (110)
7. Sainz (86)

France:
1. Norris (135)
7. Sainz (92)
12. Leclerc (101)

Styria:
1. Norris (160)
2. Sainz (110)
3. Leclerc (116)

Austria:
1. Norris (185)
2. Sainz (128)
3. Leclerc (128)

Britain:
1. Leclerc (153)
2. Norris (203)
4. Sainz (140)

Hungary:
2. Sainz (158)
DNF. Norris (203)
DNF. Leclerc (153)

Belgium:
6. Leclerc (157)
8. Sainz (160)
12. Norris (203)

Netherlands:
2. Leclerc (175)
4. Sainz (172)
6. Norris (211)

Italy:
2. Norris (229)
3. Leclerc (190)
4. Sainz (184)

Russia:
1. Sainz (209)
4. Norris (241)
11. Leclerc (190)

Turkey:
1. Leclerc (215)
3. Norris (256)
4. Sainz (224)

USA:
1. Leclerc (240)
3. Sainz (239)
4. Norris (268)

Mexico:
1. Leclerc (265)
2. Sainz (257)
6. Norris (276)

Brazil:
1. Leclerc (290)
2. Sainz (275)
6. Norris (284)

Qatar:
4. Sainz (287)
5. Leclerc (300)
6. Norris (292)

Saudi Arabia:
4. Leclerc (312)
5. Sainz (297)
7. Norris (298)

Abu Dhabi:
1. Sainz (322)
4. Norris (310)
7. Leclerc (318)

That was close!

Wins:
Sainz: Monaco, Russia, Abu Dhabi
Leclerc: Portugal, Spain, Britain, Turkey, USA, Mexico, Brazil
Norris: Bahrain, Imola, France, Styria, Austria

So Leclerc won best of the rest 7 times but still didn't win in the best of the rest championship! Sums his season up quite well, doesn't it? Just not his year but clearly one of the three best guys in the business.

[Smintlemon]

Mercedes as F1 Team has destroyed this Sport.

[Nick Singer]

Mercedes as F1 Team has destroyed this Sport.

Too much influence on the authorities, I agree.

[Tifoso Svedese]

Was at yesterday's match. Sorensen (never played before in that position!) had CR7 (who apart from a good penalty was poor) in his pocket. Our team - with several injuries, illness and losing our captain early on - still matched Utd throughout and only a fairly soft 'big six club' penalty did for us. Sadly, unless we score some goals, we'll be back down despite playing decent football.

Next!

Your team has great potential and a tidy manager but somehow it never seems to work out in the Prem. I hope you guys will find a way to stay up, always been fond of Norwich. Very nice colours and East Anglia is sort of similar to the Swedish region I live in with fewer trees. Also a warm and sunny east coast region here :-D In fact, I'd like to see Norwich and Ipswich in the Prem at the same time that'd be fun.

[nani_s23]

Too much influence on the authorities, I agree.

What did RB do during 2010 to 2013??

[nani_s23]

Mercs are first out from stewards room… no comments

[nani_s23]

Red Bull stating the protest has not been upheld…

[nani_s23]

The Max championship winning tweet from the FIA account is gone…

Other handle says Max remains 2021 WDC & Mercs going to take the case to court

[nani_s23]

It’s official “Max is 2021 WDC”….
Mercs protest -> decision upheld.

[KimiBot]

It’s official “Max is 2021 WDC”….
Mercs protest -> decision upheld.

:thumb:clap

[Tifoso Svedese]

Congratulations to the madman he drove well this year!

[DJTaurus]

Congratulations to the madman he drove well this year!

He was also a madman against Vettel in the past and made me angry many times. But this year it was the only guy who could stand against Hamilton….. and only by driving like madman he could have make it because that Merc after Silverstone it was on another level…. specially the last 4 races. Max with fresh tyres today was only matching Hamiltons pace with 30+ laps older tyres.

[jgonzalesm6]

It’s official “Max is 2021 WDC”….
Mercs protest -> decision upheld.

There is some legal jargon in the code itself regarding the 2nd decision(lapped cars). ANY does not mean ALL. That said, the race director has the final say and overriding authority regarding the safety car.

It might change after today.

Congratulations Max on your 1st WDC title.

[KimiBot]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FGbfk2-UcAI-SSo?format=jpg&name=small

[nani_s23]

There is some legal jargon in the code itself regarding the 2nd decision(lapped cars). ANY does not mean ALL. That said, the race director has the final say and overriding authority regarding the safety car.

It might change after today.

Congratulations Max on your 1st WDC title.

For me Michael Massi failed completely … this season.

If race director has the right to overturn the rules. Then why should we watch F1?? He can decide title winners every season.

[wacc]

He was also a madman against Vettel in the past and made me angry many times. But this year it was the only guy who could stand against Hamilton….. and only by driving like madman he could have make it because that Merc after Silverstone it was on another level…. specially the last 4 races. Max with fresh tyres today was only matching Hamiltons pace with 30+ laps older tyres.

+1
Exactly. RBR And Max had been agressive. They went all in. Congratulation.
Also good job Carlos, Charles and the whole team. Thanks.

[330 p4]

For me Michael Massi failed completely … this season.

If race director has the right to overturn the rules. Then why should we watch F1?? He can decide title winners every season.

As long as it wasn't Hamilton winning it's a bonus.

Love it if Wolf is so angry he suffers an aneurysm.

[nani_s23]

Mercedes has lodged its intention to appeal

[Tony]

F1 has always been a political sport. It was put center stage today, this may signify a changing of the guard as the sport may now shift away from Mercedes. The comparisons to WWE aren't that far off, there always appears to be a guiding hand towards a particular team. Ferrari have benefited from this in the past too.

[jgonzalesm6]

For me Michael Massi failed completely … this season.

If race director has the right to overturn the rules. Then why should we watch F1?? He can decide title winners every season.

I agree the inconsistencies in F1 have always been an issue so that's not going to change.

2021 has been a season against Max whether on the track or by the stewards. Max gave the postion back last race for "overtaking with an unfair advantage" while Lewis overtook Max at Abu Dhabi on the corner went off track and overtook Max with an unfair advantage but did not give the place back.

When the points are this close given the circumstances, yes Masi has the final say. i don't think he abused it throughout the season against Lewis.....but it seems Max could not get a break.

[nani_s23]

I agree the inconsistencies in F1 have always been an issue so that's not going to change.

2021 has been a season against Max whether on the track or by the stewards. Max gave the postion back last race for "overtaking with an unfair advantage" while Lewis overtook Max at Abu Dhabi on the corner went off track and overtook Max with an unfair advantage but did not give the place back.

When the points are this close given the circumstances, yes Masi has the final say. i don't think he abused it throughout the season against Lewis.....but it seems Max could not get a break.

Max got away with Brazil & More severe punishment in Jeddah (brake-test).

I think in monza, max took out ham ?? When ham coming out of pit stop & clearly ahead.

Silverstone was a mistake from Lewis.

[jgonzalesm6]

Max got away with Brazil & More severe punishment in Jeddah (brake-test).

I think in monza, max took out ham ?? When ham coming out of pit stop & clearly ahead.

Silverstone was a mistake from Lewis.

Jeddah, Max slowed down by downshifting into 3rd gear with Lewis following(?????) Max for 5 seconds before Max applied the brakes. Lewis was at fault for following a slower car then got braked checked.

Yes, Monza was Max's fault.

Hungary was Bottas fault for "taking out" a melee of drivers to include Max.

[Liscia]

Just guessing but maybe Toto Wolf might sign on Rudy Giuliani and Cyber Ninjas for the appeal?
No guess and I'm sure Verstappen is and will remain World Champion for which he and his team
deserve my perfuntory congratulations.

[paolo lalli]

Go mad Max its healthy for the sport.Lewis is a champion in his own rights and probably would not like a championship given to him on appeal .Lewis like Max and others are on track results drivers.

[bschock]

Lewis seen wearing this T-Shirt!7893

[Liscia]

Hamilton has always been a whiner and a aggrieved griper/"victim" so I'm sure he'd find a way in his mind to accept a championship if it were given to him - his personality type does?

[jgonzalesm6]

Not 1 Mercedes team congratulated Max on his 2021 WDC title...not one.

Toto has ALOT of power on his backed teams. Classless.

[Liscia]

Hamilton's father is a gentleman and did the right thing in congratulating Max and his father. That's class!

[WS6TransAm01]

Hamilton's father is a gentleman and did the right thing in congratulating Max and his father. That's class!

Hamilton didn’t congratulate Max until after daddy gave him a talking too. What a sore loser. Zero class.

He didn’t even drive to the spot on the track for the top 3, did he?

[DIEK]

Hamilton's father is a gentleman and did the right thing in congratulating Max and his father. That's class!

Since 2007 I can't stand Hamilton's father.


Hamilton didn’t congratulate Max until after daddy gave him a talking too. What a sore loser. Zero class.

He didn’t even drive to the spot on the track for the top 3, did he?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcAol5kNcQ

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FGa0LpWXMAQG2tH?format=jpg&name=small

[DJTaurus]

We must found a sum up of this years penalties each of the 2 title contenders were given.

[Cheeseman]

I would love to hear Toto shout "C'mon! Get to the chopper!!" I bet he does a mean Arnie impression

[PURE PASSION]

Enjoy !!!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=nuVYYZEXUJg&feature=share

[SS454]

Not 1 Mercedes team congratulated Max on his 2021 WDC title...not one.

Toto has ALOT of power on his backed teams. Classless.

I used to at least respect Toto Wolff. He's a great team boss that obviously has done the right things to ensure his team is victorious. Regardless if you liked the guy or not, how do you fault a guy for doing everything in his power to benefit his team?

But to not congratulate Max or Red Bull is absolutely awful. Max raced fair, Red Bull did everything they could to win the race, they didn't do anything illegal. The bad luck, or controversy with the FIA should not stop them from at least faking a smile or shaking a hand.

After winning 8 straight championships. 8!!! They are still going to be poor sports and poor losers. Embarrassing

[jgonzalesm6]

I used to at least respect Toto Wolff. He's a great team boss that obviously has done the right things to ensure his team is victorious. Regardless if you liked the guy or not, how do you fault a guy for doing everything in his power to benefit his team?

But to not congratulate Max or Red Bull is absolutely awful. Max raced fair, Red Bull did everything they could to win the race, they didn't do anything illegal. The bad luck, or controversy with the FIA should not stop them from at least faking a smile or shaking a hand.

After winning 8 straight championships. 8!!! They are still going to be poor sports and poor losers. Embarrassing

+1

[Nick Singer]

Your team has great potential and a tidy manager but somehow it never seems to work out in the Prem. I hope you guys will find a way to stay up, always been fond of Norwich. Very nice colours and East Anglia is sort of similar to the Swedish region I live in with fewer trees. Also a warm and sunny east coast region here :-D In fact, I'd like to see Norwich and Ipswich in the Prem at the same time that'd be fun.

Not for Ipswich! :-D

We were both in the Championship a couple of times. They haven't beaten us in years! Can't see them getting out of League One this year so even if we go down, think we won't meet for a while!

Spend a lot of time around Norwich. Nice area, great city. Very expensive now, around the Norfolk Broads.

[Liscia]

Wolf's a good team leader, magnanimous he is not.

[FerrariF60]

Wolf's a good team leader, magnanimous he is not.

he's just a sore loser, just like his puppet Luise

[WS6TransAm01]

Since 2007 I can't stand Hamilton's father.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcAol5kNcQ

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FGa0LpWXMAQG2tH?format=jpg&name=small

Exactly.

Just a petulant child when the FIA doesn’t lather his butt in diaper rash ointment.

I’ve always hated him. This simply justifies my vehement distain for him. He can take his rainbow helmet and his mask and shove them where the sun don’t shine. On his knees is where he belongs. Keep kneeling, virtue signaling, Affirmative Action “champion”

[FerrariF60]

anyone else noticed that at the end of the race NO ONE did the mandatory DONUTS.....wth

[ferrari4life]

I have been away from here for a long time. Some of the comments in this thread are nuts.

I have been tuned out of F1 since I felt has gone sideways. Today was no different.
With all my animosity towards Merc, Toto and Hamilton. I feel that the way the race was decided today was a farce.
Specifically allowing all the cars to unlap between Ham and Ver? Why are we not mad that they didnt give Sainz a chance at taking second?

[tifosi1993]

There is some legal jargon in the code itself regarding the 2nd decision(lapped cars). ANY does not mean ALL. That said, the race director has the final say and overriding authority regarding the safety car.

It might change after today.

Congratulations Max on your 1st WDC title.

Your interpretation is wrong. The race director can override the authority/clerk's decision, but he can't override the whole safety car rule. He can tell whether the SF car is needed or not, and that's it. But he can't make new rules out of the thin air, he doesn't and shouldn't have that kind of power anyway.

[tifosi1993]

I think Masi's departure will be one of the most positive aspect in F1. He shouldn't have involved himself directly in the WDC fight. He has broken the FIA's own rulebook and decided the outcome of the 2021 WDC.

And as for those die-hard Verstappen fans here, don't worry. Max will remain the WDC because chances of the results being overturned are practically zero. But still going through the process vindicates Mercedes into believing that Hamilton was screwed over and there needs to be punishment for the FIA on this one.

Otherwise more stuff like this will keep happening and one day Ferrari will be at the receiving end.

[paneristi]

:thumb

[SS454]

I think Masi's departure will be one of the most positive aspect in F1. He shouldn't have involved himself directly in the WDC fight. He has broken the FIA's own rulebook and decided the outcome of the 2021 WDC.

And as for those die-hard Verstappen fans here, don't worry. Max will remain the WDC because chances of the results being overturned are practically zero. But still going through the process vindicates Mercedes into believing that Hamilton was screwed over and there needs to be punishment for the FIA on this one.

Otherwise more stuff like this will keep happening and one day Ferrari will be at the receiving end.

So in the eyes of the Lewis Hamilton fan, which you clearly are, you feel that Masi should have had a 5 lap long Safety car and ended the race under caution? Or do you feel that Masi should have restarted the race with lapped cars between Max and Lewis as a nice protection buffer, a call that has NEVER been done all season? Has it ever been done since lapped cars got to go pass? Would it have been okay if Masi released ALL the lapped cars earlier? Would it have been okay if Masi instructed the SC to slow down to release the ALL the lapped cars and we had the exact same result that happened? Seriously, the moment the SC came out were you thinking "okay Masi, make sure you release ALL the lapped cars, otherwise this won't be a fair fight"? I have to believe everyone expected the race to resume with LH P1, and MV P2.

There are half a dozen scenarios that allow for race to be restarted in the order as it should be, which is LH P1, and MV P2. Lewis was still leading the race right? So how exactly was the race robbed from him? His team could have pitted him to go on new tires if that's your concern. He had the fastest chassis and the more powerful engine with track position, he had the opportunity to defend just as Max had to make the pass cleanly on track.

[Rishu]

What a botched up race, firstly Hamilton not gaining advantage on Lap 1? I mean really?. And then allowing only 3 cars to unlap and starting the race while those 3 cars not even made to the next sector? Bizarre

In all honesty Mercedes has right to protest, but this could be said about so many incidents this year. In the end I believe the better driver won WDC while better team won WCC, so all fair in that sense.

Up next new regs and 2022, Ferrari needs to stand up, it's been a while, we belong at the top rather than discussing Max vs Lewis

[nani_s23]

anyone else noticed that at the end of the race NO ONE did the mandatory DONUTS.....wth

Vettel did it.

[nani_s23]

What a botched up race, firstly Hamilton not gaining advantage on Lap 1? I mean really?. And then allowing only 3 cars to unlap and starting the race while those 3 cars not even made to the next sector? Bizarre

In all honesty Mercedes has right to protest, but this could be said about so many incidents this year. In the end I believe the better driver won WDC while better team won WCC, so all fair in that sense.

Up next new regs and 2022, Ferrari needs to stand up, it's been a while, we belong at the top rather than discussing Max vs Lewis

+1

[ntukza]

Not 1 Mercedes team congratulated Max on his 2021 WDC title...not one.

Toto has ALOT of power on his backed teams. Classless.

Lewis did.

[nani_s23]

I think Masi's departure will be one of the most positive aspect in F1. He shouldn't have involved himself directly in the WDC fight. He has broken the FIA's own rulebook and decided the outcome of the 2021 WDC.

And as for those die-hard Verstappen fans here, don't worry. Max will remain the WDC because chances of the results being overturned are practically zero. But still going through the process vindicates Mercedes into believing that Hamilton was screwed over and there needs to be punishment for the FIA on this one.

Otherwise more stuff like this will keep happening and one day Ferrari will be at the receiving end.

It’s the inability to accept their mistake from FIA. That’s the issue here.

Yeah i agree with what you said : overturning the decision practically zero. But this will lead to dirty games next year by other teams if it’s not corrected. F1 is missing Charlie, his experience would have come into play in such situations.

[nani_s23]

Since 2007 I can't stand Hamilton's father.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcAol5kNcQ

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FGa0LpWXMAQG2tH?format=jpg&name=small

The same thing happened where Max left podium last race? Pushing other drivers off track is not called racing & max defends his lines. Tomorrow if we are at receiving end, we would know the pain. He did similar things against Charles Leclerc & got away. At that time everyone was rooting for penalty. Com’n RB is the team who always threaten to leave the sport if the rules aren’t in their favour. They had their moments 2011-13, they got their taste of their own medicine till 2014-2020.

2021 decider race seems to be rigged. For me Max didn’t deserve this championship because of his driving, no matter how much talented he is. I love seeing wheel to wheel action, not throwing off others wheel.

[JPZ]

The same thing happened where Max left podium last race? Pushing other drivers off track is not called racing & max defends his lines. Tomorrow if we are at receiving end, we would know the pain. He did similar things against Charles Leclerc & got away. At that time everyone was rooting for penalty. Com’n RB is the team who always threaten to leave the sport if the rules aren’t in their favour. They had their moments 2011-13, they got their taste of their own medicine till 2014-2020.

2021 decider race seems to be rigged. For me Max didn’t deserve this championship because of his driving, no matter how much talented he is. I love seeing wheel to wheel action, not throwing off others wheel.

Without Verstappen's performance this year, it would have been another declining year of F1 and dropping viewers.

His challenge brought renewed interest in F1 and his win has ended 8 YEARS of outright Mercedes dominance.

F1 needed this win.

[nani_s23]

Without Verstappen's performance this year, it would have been another declining year of F1 and dropping viewers.

His challenge brought renewed interest in F1 and his win has ended 8 YEARS of outright Mercedes dominance.

F1 needed this win.

So If F1 need a win race director can change the rules ??

Ok leave LH & max for some time. What if ferrari Charles Leclerc or Sainz were in similar situation fighting for WDC & this happened? Would it be the same opinion ?

For me this season did set a bad example in terms of rules & reg etc. which should not be Continued like this. Where WDC can be decided by a race director.

[SS454]

So If F1 need a win race director can change the rules ??

Ok leave LH & max for some time. What if ferrari Charles Leclerc or Sainz were in similar situation fighting for WDC & this happened? Would it be the same opinion ?

For me this season did set a bad example in terms of rules & reg etc. which should not be Continued like this. Where WDC can be decided by a race director.

This season has been horribly officiated, perhaps the worst I can remember. How many decisions have gone against Max, or have not gone in a way to hurt Lewis?

Had Masi not let lapped cars go by, which is standard procedure, it would have been a far bigger controversy.

[ntukza]

What a botched up race, firstly Hamilton not gaining advantage on Lap 1? I mean really?. And then allowing only 3 cars to unlap and starting the race while those 3 cars not even made to the next sector? Bizarre

In all honesty Mercedes has right to protest, but this could be said about so many incidents this year. In the end I believe the better driver won WDC while better team won WCC, so all fair in that sense.

Up next new regs and 2022, Ferrari needs to stand up, it's been a while, we belong at the top rather than discussing Max vs Lewis

+1

[SS454]

Here is something interesting, the average Safety Car period, excluding ones that had a Red Flag lasted just 3.11 laps in 2021.

Anyone that thinks this race should have ended under a SC is out of their mind. The SC came out with 5.5 laps remaining, and they had to move 1 car about 30 feet behind a barrier. It's not unreasonable to say there should have been 2 racing laps to finish the race.

[JPZ]

So If F1 need a win race director can change the rules ??

Ok leave LH & max for some time. What if ferrari Charles Leclerc or Sainz were in similar situation fighting for WDC & this happened? Would it be the same opinion ?

For me this season did set a bad example in terms of rules & reg etc. which should not be Continued like this. Where WDC can be decided by a race director.

The rules were not changed.

'Any' does not mean all cars, rules specify priority is for cars are to be removed between leaders.

And it is up to the discretion of the race director.

He made the right call, let them race to the end.

[tifosi1993]

So in the eyes of the Lewis Hamilton fan, which you clearly are, you feel that Masi should have had a 5 lap long Safety car and ended the race under caution? Or do you feel that Masi should have restarted the race with lapped cars between Max and Lewis as a nice protection buffer, a call that has NEVER been done all season? Has it ever been done since lapped cars got to go pass? Would it have been okay if Masi released ALL the lapped cars earlier? Would it have been okay if Masi instructed the SC to slow down to release the ALL the lapped cars and we had the exact same result that happened? Seriously, the moment the SC came out were you thinking "okay Masi, make sure you release ALL the lapped cars, otherwise this won't be a fair fight"? I have to believe everyone expected the race to resume with LH P1, and MV P2.

There are half a dozen scenarios that allow for race to be restarted in the order as it should be, which is LH P1, and MV P2. Lewis was still leading the race right? So how exactly was the race robbed from him? His team could have pitted him to go on new tires if that's your concern. He had the fastest chassis and the more powerful engine with track position, he had the opportunity to defend just as Max had to make the pass cleanly on track.

You wouldn't find a single post from me where I've said "I want Ham to win the WDC". Unlike you ofcourse, every posts of yours are pretty much Verstappen fan service. And I've said "Verstappen fans", wasn't mentioning you or anything, but you've clearly felt that I was calling you out or something. Pretty much says it all.

I wouldn't spend too much time with your hyperboles and other mumbo-jumbos. You should ask yourself, why the FIA changed the SF car procedure? Why only the cars between Ham and Max were allowed to unlap? why the cars between Carlos and Verstappen weren't allowed to unlap? Why give one driver a big advantage while seemingly ignoring others? And why the unlapped cars weren't allowed to join the queue?

The FIA's job is to ensure the safety and make sure that the racing remains fair and authentic. They gave Max the free rein to attack Ham while protecting him from those behind. Why Carlos and those behind him weren't allowed to join the fight between Ham and Max?

My and majority of F1's concern are quite simple. But those who're blind of Max cool aid can't see it.

[tifosi1993]

It’s the inability to accept their mistake from FIA. That’s the issue here.

Yeah i agree with what you said : overturning the decision practically zero. But this will lead to dirty games next year by other teams if it’s not corrected. F1 is missing Charlie, his experience would have come into play in such situations.

Yeah, it feels like arguing with a bunch of kindergarteners here. Can't even articulate one single post without resorting to whataboutism and other silly stuffs.

The FIA clearly handed Max a huge gift. They cleared the cars between him and his title rival while keeping other lapped cars behind, so that nobody bothers him at the start.

[SS454]

You wouldn't find a single post from me where I've said "I want Ham to win the WDC". Unlike you ofcourse, every posts of yours are pretty much Verstappen fan service. And I've said "Verstappen fans", wasn't mentioning you or anything, but you've clearly felt that I was calling you out or something. Pretty much says it all.

I wouldn't spend too much time with your hyperboles and other mumbo-jumbos. You should ask yourself, why the FIA changed the SF car procedure? Why only the cars between Ham and Max were allowed to unlap? why the cars between Carlos and Verstappen weren't allowed to unlap? Why give one driver a big advantage while seemingly ignoring others? And why the unlapped cars weren't allowed to join the queue?

The FIA's job is to ensure the safety and make sure that the racing remains fair and authentic. They gave Max the free rein to attack Ham while protecting him from those behind. Why Carlos and those behind him weren't allowed to join the fight between Ham and Max?

My and majority of F1's concern are quite simple. But those who're blind of Max cool aid can't see it.

So you refuse to answer my questions? I touched on both sides of the argument in my post race review. But answer my questions, and I'll answer anything you want.

Here's a couple of added points. The average SC length this year has been just over 3 laps, so why did it require 4.5 laps to move 1 car like 30 feet up the track and why were the lapped cars not released sooner?

[Ferrarichamp]

If Ferrari had been in Mercedes' position, do you guys think Binotto would have gone to court? I think he would've let it go, 'for the good of the sport' :-D

[ntukza]

If Ferrari had been in Mercedes' position, do you guys think Binotto would have gone to court? I think he would've let it go, 'for the good of the sport' :-D

Lol I agree.

[stefa]

Once again congrats to MV and Red Bull, they fought like lions against more powerful Mercedes and against some decisions they ware on Mercedes and LH way! I am not so happy that MV got his 1st, but I am SO HAPPY that LH didn't won!!! :-D

[paneristi]

If Ferrari had been in Mercedes' position, do you guys think Binotto would have gone to court? I think he would've let it go, 'for the good of the sport' :-D
Exactly :lol

[paneristi]

Once again congrats to MV and Red Bull, they fought like lions against more powerful Mercedes and against some decisions they ware on Mercedes and LH way! I am not so happy that MV got his 1st, but I am SO HAPPY that LH didn't won!!! :-D
+1!!!

[nani_s23]

This season has been horribly officiated, perhaps the worst I can remember. How many decisions have gone against Max, or have not gone in a way to hurt Lewis?

Had Masi not let lapped cars go by, which is standard procedure, it would have been a far bigger controversy.

Option-1: Red flag & restart last 5laps
Option-2: follow SC rule procedures & finish it under SC.
Option-3: let lapped cars be in between leaders & tell them to race. Because all race director wanted is to have a motor racing -> this option would have been controversial.

What massi did is, first he preferred option -3, later after Communication with RB Horner. He changed decision. So team principles are influencing race director? Is this what is needed in F1?

How many times did max push other off track & call it as racing? Brazil didn’t he get away? Monza? Jeddah?
Remember racing with Charles 2019, he pushed him off track & won the race did he get penalty?

There are lot things here & there. That’s where consistency is missing.

[SS454]

Option-1: Red flag & restart last 5laps
Option-2: follow SC rule procedures & finish it under SC.
Option-3: let lapped cars be in between leaders & tell them to race. Because all race director wanted is to have a motor racing -> this option would have been controversial.

What massi did is, first he preferred option -3, later after Communication with RB Horner. He changed decision. So team principles are influencing race director? Is this what is needed in F1?

How many times did max push other off track & call it as racing? Brazil didn’t he get away? Monza? Jeddah?
Remember racing with Charles 2019, he pushed him off track & won the race did he get penalty?

There are lot things here & there. That’s where consistency is missing.

Masi was asked if a crash happened in that exact spot if a Red Flag would be thrown, he said no, only a safety car. That incident requires only a SC in every race. Arguing the FIA have changed their procedures doesn't hold much weight if you would like them to change their procedures in other ways.

Option 4, let the lapped cars go by much sooner. This is a question that Red Bull asked. Even Alonso couldn't believe they were not letting lapped cars go by. The average SC period for 2021 was 3 laps, there is no reason it should take 5.5 laps to remove 1 car less than 50 feet off the track. The standard practice, again that typically happens within 3 laps, is to release the lapped cars.

One cannot say Lewis was screwed over and then suggest Masi should have decided to screw Max over.

Toto went on radio telling Masi to not throw a SC during the VSC period because it was obviously hurt his driver. This was far more influencing the Race Director than anything Horner did.

I think Max pushed drivers off the track several times this season. Imola, Brazil, Monza turn 4. Jeddah he didn't get away with it, in fact he was penalized despite giving the place back twice on 3 attempts.

Lewis is not innocent here. Monza T1 probably should have been considered a racing incident, but if anyone was at fault it was Lewis but they gave a penalty to Max. Hamilton missed T1 in Jeddah which forced Max off track, and Max was forced to give the position back. Hamilton forced Max off track by deliberately not steering into the corner (like Rosberg in Austria 2016) and got away with it. Hamilton pushed Perez off the track in Turkey and got away with it.

I'm not sure why people keep bringing up Austria 2019. Is there anyone here that thinks that was a clean pass?

The point is both drivers have played dirty tricks and have not raced clean and penalties have been all over the place. This is the fault of the FIA and because of their inconsistencies, they put themselves in a lose lose situation in Abu Dhabi. The right call was to let them race the final lap. Everyone expected it, and everyone aside from LH fans wanted it. The FIA's not following their procedures in not allowing the lapped cars to go by, or by allowing only 5 cars to go by was a crappy situation, but a 1 lap shootout is what this season deserved.

I have yet to hear 1 person that was supporting Lewis admit that Lewis screwed up by leaving the door wide open in T5. Don't blame the rotten luck Lewis had with the SC coming out, don't blame the team for not putting on new tires during VSC or SC, which were the right calls, and don't blame Lewis for not doing a better job defending. Instead blame Masi for letting them race, and instead demand he screws over Max and secures the victory for Lewis. I just do not understand that mentality.

[Greig]

Could only imagine if the ending was reversed and it was Lewis who got the win, those defending it so stoutly today would be throwing out the tv and never watching F1 again :-D

Massi made a complete mess of it. Letting lapped cars unlap themselves is not a rule its up to the race director, but we have never seen just a select few cars being allowed to unlap themselves.

[jgonzalesm6]

How many times did max push other off track & call it as racing? Brazil didn’t he get away? Monza? Jeddah?
Remember racing with Charles 2019, he pushed him off track & won the race did he get penalty?

There are lot things here & there. That’s where consistency is missing.

Almost every F1 driver has "pushed" someone off the track exiting the corner when it is wheel-to-wheel racing for as long as F1 has been around. Rosberg said it best in the pre-race commentary when he said something to the effect of "How do you officiate this procedure??" "Does the guy in front (in the lead by an inch or half a car length at that exact moment) have "the right of way" while going into and exiting the corner??? Again, this is wheel-to-wheel racing.

I don't believe in dive-bombimg the corner at high rate of speed thereby causing a collision.....this is obviously a blatant attempt and deserves a penalty.

Max is very aggressive in these attempts and he's not backing down....at least not with Lewis. Max has a Senna-esque character on the track in the corners.

Have I seen F1 drivers going wheel-to-wheel going into and exiting the corner or corners wihile both stay within the white lines of either side of the track....absolutely.

[jgonzalesm6]

Massi made a complete mess of it. Letting lapped cars unlap themselves is not a rule its up to the race director, but we have never seen just a select few cars being allowed to unlap themselves.

I think given that there was only 1 lap left remaining is the reason why Masi let 5 cars (the ones between Max and Lewis) go by to unlap themselves. Had there been more laps left, I'm sure Masi would have let ALL cars unlap themselves.

I would'nt be surprised once Lewis found out the SC would be on track that Lewis slowed down significantly to allow the unlapped cars to get behind him to create a "buffer" between himself and Max.......but we will never know this. It's smart for Lewis's standpoint.

[jgonzalesm6]

Mercedes had completely "shut-down" or turned silent on their social meda page.

Other than Lewis and his father, Toto Wolff is a sore loser and claseless....to include the teams his engines operates.

[ferrari1.8t]

One thing for sure is that Netflix has brought so many new fans to the sport who know absolutely nothing about it. All they see is Hamilton always winning and assume it should always be that way. The British media furthers the cause with painting Hamilton as a god and Verstappen as the devil. This morning on a Canadian radio station, the morning host actually said “Verstappen illegally changed his tires during the safety car and asked how was that fair”. Seriously!! This is the kind of mentality F1 is dealing with now with its sudden influx of fans. They don’t know the rules at all yet want to defend the Hollywood star. This silly season of inconsistency did nothing to help the average fan understand the sport either. The rules are changed and bent regularly and most decisions are not clear and can be interpreted many ways. Last thing I will say is that Mercedes and Hamilton have polarized the sport. Maybe it’s a result of social media, who knows.

[Greig]

I think given that there was only 1 lap left remaining is the reason why Masi let 5 cars (the ones between Max and Lewis) go by to unlap themselves. Had there been more laps left, I'm sure Masi would have let ALL cars unlap themselves.

I would'nt be surprised once Lewis found out the SC would be on track that Lewis slowed down significantly to allow the unlapped cars to get behind him to create a "buffer" between himself and Max.......but we will never know this. It's smart for Lewis's standpoint.

Yeah that was the reason, still does not make it right. When the SC is on track they all have to slow down Lewis had no control of who would be behind him as a buffer considering normally the unlapped cars get to go around anyway.

[330 p4]

If Ferrari had been in Mercedes' position, do you guys think Binotto would have gone to court? I think he would've let it go, 'for the good of the sport' :-D

Maybe. Ferrari make high end cars, their customer base mainly high end business people who would not appreciate the mess of going to court, it effects brand image. Wolfe is somewhat autonomous but if this impacts the Merc brand the boss of Merc will make Wolfe pull out of these court cases. In 2019 Wolfe would not stop with the insults over Ferrari's engine deal with FIA. Head of Exor spoke to head of Merc as was bad for the Ferrari brand and Wolfe was told to shut up. Binotto or any Ferrari team boss does not have the power Wolfe is allowed at Merc (Todt did back in the day) so 100 percent Ferrari would not make this a messy situation if they were in Mercs shoes....this is if course purely MY OPINION and in no way a fact.

[jgonzalesm6]

Yeah that was the reason, still does not make it right. .

Well, according to the rule book.....it does. ANY in the rule book under said article does not mean ALL unlapped cars.

Mercedes is taking it to court but I don't believe they have a leg to stand on.

[jgonzalesm6]

Maybe. Ferrari make high end cars, their customer base mainly high end business people who would not appreciate the mess of going to court, it effects brand image. Wolfe is somewhat autonomous but if this impacts the Merc brand the boss of Merc will make Wolfe pull out of these court cases. In 2019 Wolfe would not stop with the insults over Ferrari's engine deal with FIA. Head of Exor spoke to head of Merc as was bad for the Ferrari brand and Wolfe was told to shut up. Binotto or any Ferrari team boss does not have the power Wolfe is allowed at Merc (Todt did back in the day) so 100 percent Ferrari would not make this a messy situation if they were in Mercs shoes....this is if course purely MY OPINION and in no way a fact.

Ferrari's F1 car's and what happens to them on or off the track do not impact Ferrari's production car business. No one buys a Ferrari production car because "Ferrari F1 is winning"?????

[FerrariF60]

Once again congrats to MV and Red Bull, they fought like lions against more powerful Mercedes and against some decisions they ware on Mercedes and LH way! I am not so happy that MV got his 1st, but I am SO HAPPY that LH didn't won!!! :-D

Exactly, bad enough that he equaled Michael on 7 wdc,s; I could not bare to see Luise surpass that record...
Michael fought hard for those championships with more teams being competitive and able to fight for the same championship....whereas Luise had them handed on a platter, at least for 2 of them.....as arguably 17 and 18 with a bit more luck and less mistakes from both Seb and the team could have been ours

[Greig]

Well, according to the rule book.....it does. ANY in the rule book under said article does not mean ALL unlapped cars.

Mercedes is taking it to court but I don't believe they have a leg to stand on.


LOL what.....any car lapped includes all the cars lapped....we have never seen a select number being allowed to unlap and others not.

[ferrari1.8t]

Hamilton's radio was released from the last lap. Unbelievably he said "the race is being manipulated"!! Really LuLu? I guess he would know, he should be an expert on race manipulation over the last 8 years of only 1 car and 1 team being allowed to win and benefit. :-D

[jgonzalesm6]

LOL what.....any car lapped includes all the cars lapped....we have never seen a select number being allowed to unlap and others not.

That's for the lawyers to decide.

[Greig]

That's for the lawyers to decide.

Quite easy to decide then, any lapped cars means them all if they are lapped.

[WS6TransAm01]

I think Masi's departure will be one of the most positive aspect in F1. He shouldn't have involved himself directly in the WDC fight. He has broken the FIA's own rulebook and decided the outcome of the 2021 WDC.

And as for those die-hard Verstappen fans here, don't worry. Max will remain the WDC because chances of the results being overturned are practically zero. But still going through the process vindicates Mercedes into believing that Hamilton was screwed over and there needs to be punishment for the FIA on this one.

Otherwise more stuff like this will keep happening and one day Ferrari will be at the receiving end.

That's a bold assumption. Based on the last decade and a half, I'd say the chances of Ferrari being on the receiving end of a title decider are pretty slim.


Lewis did.

Only AFTER his daddy told him to. The guy is 36 but acts like a baby and needs a talking to from daddy in order to stop being a petulant little B.


So If F1 need a win race director can change the rules ??

Ok leave LH & max for some time. What if ferrari Charles Leclerc or Sainz were in similar situation fighting for WDC & this happened? Would it be the same opinion ?

For me this season did set a bad example in terms of rules & reg etc. which should not be Continued like this. Where WDC can be decided by a race director.

There is enough evidence to suggest that the last 7 titles have been decided by the FIA giving preferential treatment to one team over all others. How is this ANY different? It's just F1. Not really a sport anymore, it's "entertainment". Personally, I liked this episode, screw the Affirmative Action "champion"


Could only imagine if the ending was reversed and it was Lewis who got the win, those defending it so stoutly today would be throwing out the tv and never watching F1 again :-D

Massi made a complete mess of it. Letting lapped cars unlap themselves is not a rule its up to the race director, but we have never seen just a select few cars being allowed to unlap themselves.

And if my grandma had balls she'd be my grandfather. Who cares about ifs. Hamilton lost, we should all rejoice in that. The FIA has helped Lewis plenty.

[tifosi1993]

So you refuse to answer my questions? I touched on both sides of the argument in my post race review. But answer my questions, and I'll answer anything you want.

Here's a couple of added points. The average SC length this year has been just over 3 laps, so why did it require 4.5 laps to move 1 car like 30 feet up the track and why were the lapped cars not released sooner?

I refuse to answer your imaginary scenarios. My focus is on the reality, what has had actually taken place yesterday and not some hyperbole "woulda coulda shoulda".

Again, only the cars between Ham and Max were allowed to unlap. But those unlapped cars weren't allowed to join the queue which is another breach of the 30-year old SC procedure. The FIA allowed Max to attack Ham while safeguarding him from Carlos and Co. behind. Feel free to point out any disparities/factually incorrect statement.

The FIA have deliberately changed the SC rule for Max's benefit only. And shouldn't happened in any rule based sports.

And you've been going on about your SC number. Where did you pulled that number from I wonder, do provide your source here. And since you're a number guy, what's the average SC length when the track being cleared of a stranded/crashed car? Because I would like to compare yesterday's SC length with others when there was a crashed car being cleared.

[tifosi1993]

Quite easy to decide then, any lapped cars means them all if they are lapped.

Yup, Mercedes lawyers will have a field day with this one. Even if you allowed one car to be unlapped, then that car must join the queue and only then the race can resume.

[ferrari4life]

Yup, Mercedes lawyers will have a field day with this one. Even if you allowed one car to be unlapped, then that car must join the queue and only then the race can resume.

I hope they do. I care not if it tarnishes the image of F1. the image of F1 has been crap for a while. Trying to engineer a win like this is clear fraud.
I dont care if Merc wins or not but I hope there is some reckoning for this sport.

[stefa]

That's a bold assumption. Based on the last decade and a half, I'd say the chances of Ferrari being on the receiving end of a title decider are pretty slim.



Only AFTER his daddy told him to. The guy is 36 but acts like a baby and needs a talking to from daddy in order to stop being a petulant little B.



There is enough evidence to suggest that the last 7 titles have been decided by the FIA giving preferential treatment to one team over all others. How is this ANY different? It's just F1. Not really a sport anymore, it's "entertainment". Personally, I liked this episode, screw the Affirmative Action "champion"



And if my grandma had balls she'd be my grandfather. Who cares about ifs. Hamilton lost, we should all rejoice in that. The FIA has helped Lewis plenty.

^This :thumb

[stefa]

7894

[20000rpm]

7894

:thumb

[Cheeseman]

It's not an easy job being a referee of live sport. In some sport, like rugby, they can stop play and review the situation but not that straight forward in F1. You have to make a decision on the spot. To be fair to Michael Masi, he had an immediate incident on track to deal with and get the track clear. At the same time he has Toto and Christian bending his ear. I wonder if he was even aware that Max pitted for new tyres with everything that was going on. Who knows.. This can be discussed forever. The only thing I can take from it is that the FIA wanted the fight to end with a race and not in their office but that's exactly where it ended. I imagine there will be a complete overhaul of how the stewards office operate in future. The first thing to do is to stop team bosses being able to try and manipulate the race director during the race

[jgonzalesm6]

Hill casts doubt over Mercedes' appeal plans: I don't see it going anywhere

Damon Hill does not expect Mercedes to make much progress after confirming their intention to appeal the stewards' verdict in Abu Dhabi.

Damon Hill doubts that Mercedes will "get anywhere" should they proceed with their plans to appeal against the stewards' verdict in Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes lodged two separate protests, one against Max Verstappen and the other against the race result - relating to unlapped cars and the procedures under the Safety Car.

Hamilton had controlled the majority of Sunday's race after passing Verstappen at the start, but the encounter was turned on its head in the closing laps by a Safety Car period to cover Nicholas Latifi's crash.

Verstappen took the opportunity to pit for new Soft tyres, while Hamilton stayed out on old Hards, amid uncertainty as to whether the race would restart.

As the laps went by, several lapped cars that sat between the pair were initially told to hold position, only to be released by Race Director Michael Masi moments before the Safety Car peeled back in with a lap to go.

Verstappen went on to steal the win and, with it, the world title.
"I don't see how anything's gonna change"

Both of Mercedes' post-race protests were ultimately dismissed by the stewards, with Red Bull chiefs Helmut Marko and Christian Horner criticising the team's actions and declaring that the correct decision had been made.

However, Mercedes have subsequently confirmed their intention to appeal, and have 96 hours (after the race finish) to decide whether to proceed.

Giving his thoughts on the situation in an interview with Sky Sports, 1996 World Champion Hill said: "I don't see how anything's gonna change.

"I think the stewards have said that they are entitled to override some of the other regulations that Mercedes believed were watertight.

"I think when you read those, the code, you can see that the [Race Director] is entitled to do what is necessary to get the race underway, so I just don't see it getting anywhere."

Hill then took a moment to praise Verstappen and Red Bull for sealing the Drivers' crown.

"I think they knew they had to fight with everything they had and it turned out in their favour," he commented.

"You have to say we're looking at an extremely brilliant racing driver who is not there to play games - he's there to win and he's won."

https://racingnews365.com/hill-casts-doubt-over-mercedes-appeal-plans-i-dont-see-it-going-anywhere

[Hornet]

If Ferrari had been in Mercedes' position, do you guys think Binotto would have gone to court? I think he would've let it go, 'for the good of the sport' :-D
Personally I will never want to see Ferrari trying to win our first title in more than a decade by dragging the sport to court.

Stewards decision are not always perfect, but this is not how we should win a title. Not sure what Merc is trying to achieve here. I doubt this is what Lewis would want too.

[Cheeseman]

I hope they do. I care not if it tarnishes the image of F1. the image of F1 has been crap for a while. Trying to engineer a win like this is clear fraud.
I dont care if Merc wins or not but I hope there is some reckoning for this sport.

So Masi did it on purpose?

[Lesky]

With the season over with, and a title changing turn of fortunes where Lewis had the title "stolen" from him on the last lap I figured it would be best to do a full breakdown on Hamilton Vs Verstappen, who lost most points to freak accidents/luck out of their control.


Breakdown:

Italy - Hamilton runs into the wall and was set to come out dead last, also needing heavy repairs and would not have scored any points - before Bottas instantly saved his race by colliding with Russell causing a red flag resulting in free repairs and no more positions lost for Lewis.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +19 (HAM 19, VER 0)
--
Baku - Verstappen set to win the race and take 25 points vs Hamiltons 15 before his tire blow out.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +10 (HAM 29, VER 0)
-
Silverstone - Max leading the race set to bag 25 vs 18 point to Lewis, before Lewis is deemed guilty of causing a collision and "punished" by stewards in a way that did not affect his race.

25 points for Verstappen and 18 for Hamilton became 0 for Verstappen and 25 for Hamilton who could only finish the race because of a red flag he himself caused and gave him free repairs.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +61 (HAM 61, VER 0)

-
Hungary - Hamilton probable to win and take 25 vs 18 Vs Verstappen before Bottas causes a crash that takes out both Red Bulls.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +18 (HAM 79, VER 0)
-
Monza - Hamilton set to score more points than Max before the crash Max was deemed guilty of causing. HAM 12 - VER 10)

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +2 (HAM 79, VER 2)
-
Russia - Verstappen set to finish 7th and Hamilton 2nd before the rain comes in, 18 points for Hamilton and 6 for Verstappen became HAM 25, VER 18.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +5 (HAM 79, VER 7)
-
Abu Dhabi - Hamilton set to win easily before Masi turnes the tables completely at the last lap.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +14 (HAM 79, VER 21)

Total summary of points gained by luck/factors out of control: Points gained by Lews 79 Vs Points gained for Verstappen 21.

To not complicate things further I did not include any stuff like the ramifications that happened to Red Bulls engines after the Silverstone accident which you could argue makes the points Max made up by luck in Russia not relevant because the only reason he was in a position to lose points that race was because of the Silverstone crash Lewis caused.

In the end Hamilton gained 58 points in the championship compared to Verstappen.


Without luck getting involved the final championship standings would have ended

Max Verstappen 374.5 (-21)
Lewis Hamilton 308.5 (-79)


Lastly, if only the Silverstone crash/lottery had ended on the opposite with Lewis retiring and Max finishing (with all the other luck still counted for) the standings would have finished.

Max Verstappen 420.5 (+25)
Lewis Hamilton 362.5 (-25)

In summary: The best driver won the title without doubt, only reason Hamilton was still in contention in Abu Dhabi was incredible luck, so what happened at the end was poetic justice! Lewis winning the title would have been robbery and unworthy.

[KimiBot]

In summary: The best driver won the title without doubt, only reason Hamilton was still in contention in Abu Dhabi was incredible luck, so what happened at the end was poetic justice! Lewis winning the title would have been robbery and unworthy.:thumb

[stefa]

With the season over with, and a title changing turn of fortunes where Lewis had the title "stolen" from him on the last lap I figured it would be best to do a full breakdown on Hamilton Vs Verstappen, who lost most points to freak accidents/luck out of their control.


Breakdown:

Italy - Hamilton runs into the wall and was set to come out dead last, also needing heavy repairs and would not have scored any points - before Bottas instantly saved his race by colliding with Russell causing a red flag resulting in free repairs and no more positions lost for Lewis.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +19 (HAM 19, VER 0)
--
Baku - Verstappen set to win the race and take 25 points vs Hamiltons 15 before his tire blow out.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +10 (HAM 29, VER 0)
-
Silverstone - Max leading the race set to bag 25 vs 18 point to Lewis, before Lewis is deemed guilty of causing a collision and "punished" by stewards in a way that did not affect his race.

25 points for Verstappen and 18 for Hamilton became 0 for Verstappen and 25 for Hamilton who could only finish the race because of a red flag he himself caused and gave him free repairs.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +61 (HAM 61, VER 0)

-
Hungary - Hamilton probable to win and take 25 vs 18 Vs Verstappen before Bottas causes a crash that takes out both Red Bulls.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +18 (HAM 79, VER 0)
-
Monza - Hamilton set to score more points than Max before the crash Max was deemed guilty of causing. HAM 12 - VER 10)

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +2 (HAM 79, VER 2)
-
Russia - Verstappen set to finish 7th and Hamilton 2nd before the rain comes in, 18 points for Hamilton and 6 for Verstappen became HAM 25, VER 18.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +5 (HAM 79, VER 7)
-
Abu Dhabi - Hamilton set to win easily before Masi turnes the tables completely at the last lap.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +14 (HAM 79, VER 21)

Total summary of points gained by luck/factors out of control: Points gained by Lews 79 Vs Points gained for Verstappen 21.

To not complicate things further I did not include any stuff like the ramifications that happened to Red Bulls engines after the Silverstone accident which you could argue makes the points Max made up by luck in Russia not relevant because the only reason he was in a position to lose points that race was because of the Silverstone crash Lewis caused.

In the end Hamilton gained 58 points in the championship compared to Verstappen.


Without luck getting involved the final championship standings would have ended

Max Verstappen 374.5 (-21)
Lewis Hamilton 308.5 (-79)


Lastly, if only the Silverstone crash/lottery had ended on the opposite with Lewis retiring and Max finishing (with all the other luck still counted for) the standings would have finished.

Max Verstappen 420.5 (+25)
Lewis Hamilton 362.5 (-25)

In summary: The best driver won the title without doubt, only reason Hamilton was still in contention in Abu Dhabi was incredible luck, so what happened at the end was poetic justice! Lewis winning the title would have been robbery and unworthy.

I can only :clapto this!

[SS454]

Could only imagine if the ending was reversed and it was Lewis who got the win, those defending it so stoutly today would be throwing out the tv and never watching F1 again :-D

Massi made a complete mess of it. Letting lapped cars unlap themselves is not a rule its up to the race director, but we have never seen just a select few cars being allowed to unlap themselves.

If Lewis won because the FIA didn't allow the lapped cars to go by, or even worse - ending the race under a SC the fans would rightfully say robbed for MV. I'm not sure if the media would be have a 20 news paper outlets writing "Max was ROBBED" on their front page though.

Masi did make a mess of it, the moment he announced to not allow lapped cars go by it looked like a farce and gift to secure Lewis' title. When he changed his mind, naturally it will look like the opposite.

[stefa]

7895

Hopefully very soon same picture posing but with two trophy's

[SS454]

7895

Hopefully very soon same picture posing but with two trophy's

+1

Though hopefully with a better livery too.

[paolo lalli]

The miracle happened car crash ,yellow flags red bull pit last roll of the dice Max with new soft tyres mercedes stay out lewis on worn hands.Masi race director makes the desicion let's race which under the rules the race director can adjust rules accordingly sets up grand stand final finish max has one lap to nail it.lewis was a sitting duck red bull win simple as that a strategy that paid big time congrats to Max.Besides a boring finish under safety car would not be just for the final race and championship decider Mr Micheal massive race director showed totto wolf just how big his balls really are and yes they are huge.

[stefa]

+1

Though hopefully with a better livery too.

Absolutely agree! :thumb

[Greig]

If Lewis won because the FIA didn't allow the lapped cars to go by, or even worse - ending the race under a SC the fans would rightfully say robbed for MV. I'm not sure if the media would be have a 20 news paper outlets writing "Max was ROBBED" on their front page though.

Masi did make a mess of it, the moment he announced to not allow lapped cars go by it looked like a farce and gift to secure Lewis' title. When he changed his mind, naturally it will look like the opposite.

Making up a new rule to let some unlap is the main issue....

[SS454]

Making up a new rule to let some unlap is the main issue....

Well according to the rules, apparently article 48.13 supersedes 48.12 which I guess gives Masi the right to do it. This is one of the things discussed during the meeting with the Stewards.

There is an argument that Masi didn't follow typical procedure in the first few laps of the SC, but it was his discretion and does not technically break any rules. His decision to change his mind and only allow 5 cars to unlap definitely goes against article 48.12, though legally who knows based on the word "Any", but as I said, supposedly article 48.13 gives him the right to overrule 48.12.

the FIA shot themselves in both feet and chose to put a bandage on only one foot.

It's just comical how so many, including the news, are saying Lewis was robbed of the world championship because he had to actually race for the win. They conveniently forget about the other 22 races and scenarios that went in his favor, or went against Max, or how the FIA made decisions that significantly favored Mercedes (or hurt RBR, depends how u look at it).

The SC robbed Lewis of an easy race win, but Verstappen deserved the WDC, but I get the uproar and I don't blame the Lewis fans for being upset.

[ntukza]

I don't think I like George Russell anymore. I hope Lewis thrashes him next year.

[Rishu]

I don't think I like George Russell anymore. I hope Lewis thrashes him next year.

I get it but understand his position here. He is only 23, making his move to the mighty Mercedes, partnering a certain 7 times WDC, under dictatorships of Toto :lol, he is supposed to speak for them, he has not made his position strong enough to voice out his own opinions or at best diplomatically answer.

[Redfive]

I'm ashamed to be English right now.
The media are in a frenzy and accusations of cheating and even yes racism are wild, and several papers (Mirror, Mail) have even setup an online petition to remove the title from Max and give it to Lewis.

I really despise this flag sha***ng crap where the british are the best and no one else should win.

I do agree Masi's decisions have been strange most of the season but you can't blame Max for that, he did nothing wrong. it's odd now they complain, they thought it was fine when the decisions went against RBR/Max. Damn hypocrites!

[20000rpm]

I'm ashamed to be English right now.
The media are in a frenzy and accusations of cheating and even yes racism are wild, and several papers (Mirror, Mail) have even setup an online petition to remove the title from Max and give it to Lewis.

I really despise this flag sha***ng crap where the british are the best and no one else should win.

I do agree Masi's decisions have been strange most of the season but you can't blame Max for that, he did nothing wrong. it's odd now they complain, they thought it was fine when the decisions went against RBR/Max. Damn hypocrites!

Sour grapes for the British media, I would say.
Agreed with the point made.

[Riccardog]

I don't think I like George Russell anymore. I hope Lewis thrashes him next year.

indeed, already started playing the butler role... hope I'm wrong, but it does seem blatantly obvious.

:-!

[ferrari1.8t]

I'm ashamed to be English right now.
The media are in a frenzy and accusations of cheating and even yes racism are wild, and several papers (Mirror, Mail) have even setup an online petition to remove the title from Max and give it to Lewis.

I really despise this flag sha***ng crap where the british are the best and no one else should win.

I do agree Masi's decisions have been strange most of the season but you can't blame Max for that, he did nothing wrong. it's odd now they complain, they thought it was fine when the decisions went against RBR/Max. Damn hypocrites!

They did the same thing when Italy won the Euro Cup. Bunch of sore losers if you ask me, pretty embarrassing as well. How quickly everyone including the British Media and Hamilton fans forget how much the FIA and stewards have helped Hamilton over the last 7-8 years. Should the rest of the F1 teams petition to have all of Ham's 6 titles with Mercedes removed because of the blatant bias, favoritism and cheating over the years? Grow up and move on...

[WS6TransAm01]

I'm ashamed to be English right now.
The media are in a frenzy and accusations of cheating and even yes racism are wild, and several papers (Mirror, Mail) have even setup an online petition to remove the title from Max and give it to Lewis.

I really despise this flag sha***ng crap where the british are the best and no one else should win.

I do agree Masi's decisions have been strange most of the season but you can't blame Max for that, he did nothing wrong. it's odd now they complain, they thought it was fine when the decisions went against RBR/Max. Damn hypocrites!

Called it. The swansong of the loser it to call everything racist rather than take responsibility for personal failure.

That is the excuse du jour for the leftist media. Nothing new here. The lying media is no reason to be ashamed of your country. I mean 1776 may be, but not this. ;) LOL

[ntukza]

I get it but understand his position here. He is only 23, making his move to the mighty Mercedes, partnering a certain 7 times WDC, under dictatorships of Toto :lol, he is supposed to speak for them, he has not made his position strong enough to voice out his own opinions or at best diplomatically answer.

He could have kept quiet. The race was barely over and he was already tweeting.

[wisepie]

Not all of us Brits are HAM fans otherwise we wouldn't (shouldn't) be on this site. The UK media have been unbearable and will support any aspect of HAM's triumphs in whatever his latest achievement or crusade is, and after all, he is British, so hardly unexpected by the media. I admit to having been thrilled when Italy beat England in the Euros, and will be ecstatic if Ferrari can mount a challenge in 2022. I will probably be shot for those comments!;-)

[Cheeseman]

The British media loves to be outraged about everything. Hence, no surprise at the Hamilton backlash. The leftist media use any situation to cry racism. The petition was most likely started by a socialist Croc-wearing, latte with soy milk drinker, Insulate Britain activist with a man bun who is offended by everything. Kimi had some strange fans during his days at Mclaren but Hamilton's fans are self entitled weirdos.

[330 p4]

With the season over with, and a title changing turn of fortunes where Lewis had the title "stolen" from him on the last lap I figured it would be best to do a full breakdown on Hamilton Vs Verstappen, who lost most points to freak accidents/luck out of their control.


Breakdown:

Italy - Hamilton runs into the wall and was set to come out dead last, also needing heavy repairs and would not have scored any points - before Bottas instantly saved his race by colliding with Russell causing a red flag resulting in free repairs and no more positions lost for Lewis.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +19 (HAM 19, VER 0)
--
Baku - Verstappen set to win the race and take 25 points vs Hamiltons 15 before his tire blow out.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +10 (HAM 29, VER 0)
-
Silverstone - Max leading the race set to bag 25 vs 18 point to Lewis, before Lewis is deemed guilty of causing a collision and "punished" by stewards in a way that did not affect his race.

25 points for Verstappen and 18 for Hamilton became 0 for Verstappen and 25 for Hamilton who could only finish the race because of a red flag he himself caused and gave him free repairs.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +61 (HAM 61, VER 0)

-
Hungary - Hamilton probable to win and take 25 vs 18 Vs Verstappen before Bottas causes a crash that takes out both Red Bulls.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +18 (HAM 79, VER 0)
-
Monza - Hamilton set to score more points than Max before the crash Max was deemed guilty of causing. HAM 12 - VER 10)

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +2 (HAM 79, VER 2)
-
Russia - Verstappen set to finish 7th and Hamilton 2nd before the rain comes in, 18 points for Hamilton and 6 for Verstappen became HAM 25, VER 18.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +5 (HAM 79, VER 7)
-
Abu Dhabi - Hamilton set to win easily before Masi turnes the tables completely at the last lap.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +14 (HAM 79, VER 21)

Total summary of points gained by luck/factors out of control: Points gained by Lews 79 Vs Points gained for Verstappen 21.

To not complicate things further I did not include any stuff like the ramifications that happened to Red Bulls engines after the Silverstone accident which you could argue makes the points Max made up by luck in Russia not relevant because the only reason he was in a position to lose points that race was because of the Silverstone crash Lewis caused.

In the end Hamilton gained 58 points in the championship compared to Verstappen.


Without luck getting involved the final championship standings would have ended

Max Verstappen 374.5 (-21)
Lewis Hamilton 308.5 (-79)


Lastly, if only the Silverstone crash/lottery had ended on the opposite with Lewis retiring and Max finishing (with all the other luck still counted for) the standings would have finished.

Max Verstappen 420.5 (+25)
Lewis Hamilton 362.5 (-25)

In summary: The best driver won the title without doubt, only reason Hamilton was still in contention in Abu Dhabi was incredible luck, so what happened at the end was poetic justice! Lewis winning the title would have been robbery and unworthy.

Well done.

1 thing though about Silverstone, Hamiltons pace was crazy on hard tyres I 5hink hecwould have won anyway but even if amax would have won I see that as Max 25 more points Lewis 7 less which is 32 point swing not 61.

[Cavallino]

With the season over with, and a title changing turn of fortunes where Lewis had the title "stolen" from him on the last lap I figured it would be best to do a full breakdown on Hamilton Vs Verstappen, who lost most points to freak accidents/luck out of their control.


Breakdown:

Italy - Hamilton runs into the wall and was set to come out dead last, also needing heavy repairs and would not have scored any points - before Bottas instantly saved his race by colliding with Russell causing a red flag resulting in free repairs and no more positions lost for Lewis.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +19 (HAM 19, VER 0)
--
Baku - Verstappen set to win the race and take 25 points vs Hamiltons 15 before his tire blow out.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +10 (HAM 29, VER 0)
-
Silverstone - Max leading the race set to bag 25 vs 18 point to Lewis, before Lewis is deemed guilty of causing a collision and "punished" by stewards in a way that did not affect his race.

25 points for Verstappen and 18 for Hamilton became 0 for Verstappen and 25 for Hamilton who could only finish the race because of a red flag he himself caused and gave him free repairs.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +61 (HAM 61, VER 0)

-
Hungary - Hamilton probable to win and take 25 vs 18 Vs Verstappen before Bottas causes a crash that takes out both Red Bulls.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +18 (HAM 79, VER 0)
-
Monza - Hamilton set to score more points than Max before the crash Max was deemed guilty of causing. HAM 12 - VER 10)

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +2 (HAM 79, VER 2)
-
Russia - Verstappen set to finish 7th and Hamilton 2nd before the rain comes in, 18 points for Hamilton and 6 for Verstappen became HAM 25, VER 18.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +5 (HAM 79, VER 7)
-
Abu Dhabi - Hamilton set to win easily before Masi turnes the tables completely at the last lap.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +14 (HAM 79, VER 21)

Total summary of points gained by luck/factors out of control: Points gained by Lews 79 Vs Points gained for Verstappen 21.

To not complicate things further I did not include any stuff like the ramifications that happened to Red Bulls engines after the Silverstone accident which you could argue makes the points Max made up by luck in Russia not relevant because the only reason he was in a position to lose points that race was because of the Silverstone crash Lewis caused.

In the end Hamilton gained 58 points in the championship compared to Verstappen.


Without luck getting involved the final championship standings would have ended

Max Verstappen 374.5 (-21)
Lewis Hamilton 308.5 (-79)


Lastly, if only the Silverstone crash/lottery had ended on the opposite with Lewis retiring and Max finishing (with all the other luck still counted for) the standings would have finished.

Max Verstappen 420.5 (+25)
Lewis Hamilton 362.5 (-25)

In summary: The best driver won the title without doubt, only reason Hamilton was still in contention in Abu Dhabi was incredible luck, so what happened at the end was poetic justice! Lewis winning the title would have been robbery and unworthy.

Thanks for putting this post together! I hadn't had the chance to sit back and think about it myself.

[20000rpm]

With the season over with, and a title changing turn of fortunes where Lewis had the title "stolen" from him on the last lap I figured it would be best to do a full breakdown on Hamilton Vs Verstappen, who lost most points to freak accidents/luck out of their control.


Breakdown:

Italy - Hamilton runs into the wall and was set to come out dead last, also needing heavy repairs and would not have scored any points - before Bottas instantly saved his race by colliding with Russell causing a red flag resulting in free repairs and no more positions lost for Lewis.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +19 (HAM 19, VER 0)
--
Baku - Verstappen set to win the race and take 25 points vs Hamiltons 15 before his tire blow out.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +10 (HAM 29, VER 0)
-
Silverstone - Max leading the race set to bag 25 vs 18 point to Lewis, before Lewis is deemed guilty of causing a collision and "punished" by stewards in a way that did not affect his race.

25 points for Verstappen and 18 for Hamilton became 0 for Verstappen and 25 for Hamilton who could only finish the race because of a red flag he himself caused and gave him free repairs.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +61 (HAM 61, VER 0)

-
Hungary - Hamilton probable to win and take 25 vs 18 Vs Verstappen before Bottas causes a crash that takes out both Red Bulls.

Points gained by Hamilton in the championship: +18 (HAM 79, VER 0)
-
Monza - Hamilton set to score more points than Max before the crash Max was deemed guilty of causing. HAM 12 - VER 10)

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +2 (HAM 79, VER 2)
-
Russia - Verstappen set to finish 7th and Hamilton 2nd before the rain comes in, 18 points for Hamilton and 6 for Verstappen became HAM 25, VER 18.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +5 (HAM 79, VER 7)
-
Abu Dhabi - Hamilton set to win easily before Masi turnes the tables completely at the last lap.

Points gained by Verstappen in the championship: +14 (HAM 79, VER 21)

Total summary of points gained by luck/factors out of control: Points gained by Lews 79 Vs Points gained for Verstappen 21.

To not complicate things further I did not include any stuff like the ramifications that happened to Red Bulls engines after the Silverstone accident which you could argue makes the points Max made up by luck in Russia not relevant because the only reason he was in a position to lose points that race was because of the Silverstone crash Lewis caused.

In the end Hamilton gained 58 points in the championship compared to Verstappen.


Without luck getting involved the final championship standings would have ended

Max Verstappen 374.5 (-21)
Lewis Hamilton 308.5 (-79)


Lastly, if only the Silverstone crash/lottery had ended on the opposite with Lewis retiring and Max finishing (with all the other luck still counted for) the standings would have finished.

Max Verstappen 420.5 (+25)
Lewis Hamilton 362.5 (-25)

In summary: The best driver won the title without doubt, only reason Hamilton was still in contention in Abu Dhabi was incredible luck, so what happened at the end was poetic justice! Lewis winning the title would have been robbery and unworthy.

:clap :thumb

[Brembo]

Ferrari got on the podium!!! Carlos is right up there with the best!!!! It happened @ Au Dhabi 2021. WE fans needed at least one Ferrari Forum; podium i post!!

[jgonzalesm6]

Why the FIA must not bury its head in the sand over Abu Dhabi F1 fallout


Despite the controversial end to 2021's Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, the FIA backed race director Michael Masi's actions - which ultimately yielded a first world title for Max Verstappen. However, with even Red Bull upset about stewarding inconsistencies, the FIA must be proactive and improve how it runs races


https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-the-fia-must-not-bury-its-head-in-the-sand-over-abu-dhabi-f1-fallout/6885074/

[jgonzalesm6]

Update on the Mercedes appeal from a credible source:

News I’m getting from solid sources is that the relations between MercedesAMGF1 and the FIA are NOT improving after AbuDhabiGP. Far from in fact…stories up soon.

[ferrari1.8t]

Update on the Mercedes appeal from a credible source:

News I’m getting from solid sources is that the relations between MercedesAMGF1 and the FIA are NOT improving after AbuDhabiGP. Far from in fact…stories up soon.

Toto and co. have become too comfortable and used to the FIA bending over for them all the time. Now for the first time in 8 years they are pushing back and not giving in to Toto’s demands and he can’t take it. Now that he can’t influence the sport for golden boy anymore, he wants to quit. F1 will be better without them around imo

[ferrari1.8t]

Mercedes refuses to participate in FIA champion photography as the wait for appeal continues – RaceFans – Motorsports

https://www.jioforme.com/mercedes-refuses-to-participate-in-fia-champion-photography-as-the-wait-for-appeal-continues-racefans-motorsports/1002898/amp/

Really Toto? Unbelievable how quickly he forgets all that the FIA has done for him. Take your constructors trophy, be proud of what you accomplished and move on.

I can only imagine what the crybaby will do next year if ferrari have the best package? Complain to the FIA and try to revert to this years regulations? I mean, god forbid anyone else other than Merc-Hamilton are fast and have a competitive package. :roll

[wisepie]

The British media loves to be outraged about everything. Hence, no surprise at the Hamilton backlash. The leftist media use any situation to cry racism. The petition was most likely started by a socialist Croc-wearing, latte with soy milk drinker, Insulate Britain activist with a man bun who is offended by everything. Kimi had some strange fans during his days at Mclaren but Hamilton's fans are self entitled weirdos.

+1, thanks for putting my thoughts into words!

[SS454]

Mercedes refuses to participate in FIA champion photography as the wait for appeal continues – RaceFans – Motorsports

https://www.jioforme.com/mercedes-refuses-to-participate-in-fia-champion-photography-as-the-wait-for-appeal-continues-racefans-motorsports/1002898/amp/

Really Toto? Unbelievable how quickly he forgets all that the FIA has done for him. Take your constructors trophy, be proud of what you accomplished and move on.

I can only imagine what the crybaby will do next year if ferrari have the best package? Complain to the FIA and try to revert to this years regulations? I mean, god forbid anyone else other than Merc-Hamilton are fast and have a competitive package. :roll

The FIA should sue Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton for not fulfilling their duties as participants in their championship. Doing PR and Media events are part of the job and Mercedes decision to boycott any and all such events is damaging to the sport.

[Greig]

The FIA should sue Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton for not fulfilling their duties as participants in their championship. Doing PR and Media events are part of the job and Mercedes decision to boycott any and all such events is damaging to the sport.

Why just Lewis?

I am sure they will do it on their own social media that you enjoy anyway :-D

[Liscia]

Benz and Ham got their gift after Lap1/Corner 1 while RB and Ver got theirs at the last lap - Ver with more wins, poles and laps lead throughout the season so
while there may still be much to ponder and quibble over, I think the best man got the WDC this time. Wolff has to lump it and learn how to lose gracefully.
Sir Lewis made it out with a knighthood didn't he so all can put their toys and whiney grudges away and look toward to 2022 and a fightback from Ferrari!

[SS454]

Why just Lewis?

I am sure they will do it on their own social media that you enjoy anyway :-D

Because Bottas got shunned by his own team and he was there doing post race interviews?

[Greig]

Because Bottas got shunned by his own team and he was there doing post race interviews?

So did Lewis? they not put in on their social media channels yet?

Sounds like from the article Merc did not send a car to the photoshop, nothing about drivers being asked or required....

[SS454]

So did Lewis? they not put in on their social media channels yet?

Sounds like from the article Merc did not send a car to the photoshop, nothing about drivers being asked or required....

Lewis did 1 interview with Jenson Button post race before he could run off. He boycotted the media scrum. He boycotted the post race press conference. Mercedes have done zero interviews post race. Mercedes have now boycotted the Formula 1 group photo shoot.

I think Lewis hiding behind closed doors is instruction by Mercedes, but it doesn't change that drivers and teams have certain media expectations. It's one of the most common complaints from the drivers. Perhaps "sue" wasn't the right word, but the FIA should certainly have the right to fine them. It's a common practice in any and all (do those words make a difference?) major sporting governing bodies that athletes or participants have certain media obligations and typically get fined if they refuse to do it.

[Greig]

Lewis did 1 interview with Jenson Button post race before he could run off. He boycotted the media scrum. He boycotted the post race press conference. Mercedes have done zero interviews post race. Mercedes have now boycotted the Formula 1 group photo shoot.

I think Lewis hiding behind closed doors is instruction by Mercedes, but it doesn't change that drivers and teams have certain media expectations. It's one of the most common complaints from the drivers. Perhaps "sue" wasn't the right word, but the FIA should certainly have the right to fine them. It's a common practice in any and all (do those words make a difference?) major sporting governing bodies that athletes or participants have certain media obligations and typically get fined if they refuse to do it.

Fine them then...but yeah sue them was a bit dramatic.

[SS454]

Fine them then...but yeah sue them was a bit dramatic.

+1

[paolo lalli]

Totto is a grub the fia must back Mr Micheal massi 100% and just show that pork head who is running this circus.Mercedes won't go any where they are full of **** and wind.So totto should just grow up and except the fact that 7 chain did not get his eight. Mercedes could have pitted also to cover any snipper move from redbull but chose not to against Lewis Hamilton's wishes ,thinking they were home and hosed then boom there pants were removed .They were out smarted,and yes massi provided the fireworks,and why did he because he could.So totto suck it up because next year ferrari will be your headache also.No good complaining to the fia because you are being outplayed this time,and moving foward always.

[Ferrarichamp]

safe to say Latifi and Masi are not on Toto's xmas card list :lol

[stefa]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mercedes-f1-team-withdraws-abu-dhabi-gp-appeal/6885783/

Sour loosers

[ferrari1.8t]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mercedes-f1-team-withdraws-abu-dhabi-gp-appeal/6885783/

Sour loosers

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/32880861/lewis-hamilton-toto-wolff-not-attend-fia-prizegiving-gala

Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff will not attend FIA prizegiving gala

Yup, definitely sore losers. It really shows you the true character of both Hamilton and Wolff. After what they have achieved over the last 8 years to act like this is completely uncalled for. Cry me a river, you can’t win all the time so stop being sucks. The FIA should reprimand them for not showing up. Mercedes thinks they have so much power that everyone should bow down and do whatever they want. Screw you Toto, there is a new sherif in town.

[ferrari1.8t]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mercedes-f1-team-withdraws-abu-dhabi-gp-appeal/6885783/

Sour loosers

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/32880861/lewis-hamilton-toto-wolff-not-attend-fia-prizegiving-gala

Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff will not attend FIA prizegiving gala

Yup, definitely sore losers. It really shows you the true character of both Hamilton and Wolff. After what they have achieved over the last 8 years to act like this is completely uncalled for. Cry me a river, you can’t win all the time so stop being sucks. The FIA should reprimand them for not showing up. Mercedes thinks they have so much power that everyone should bow down and do whatever they want. Screw you Toto, there is a new sherif in town.

[Riccardog]

7895

Hopefully very soon same picture posing but with two trophy's


thank you for this... it REALLY makes for a fantastic wallpaper on my mobile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:clap:clap:clap

[PURE PASSION]

7896

[galway1]

Really is despicable that the dominant team and driver for the last 8 years or so, can behave so arrogantly to F1 and fans
They are giving a lesson to younsters in how not to accept defeat
Hope Ferrari, Red Bull, McL etc give them a pasting next year - they deserve it

[Brembo]

If Lewis won that 8th WDC I'm sure the many fans here would be posting cograts and admiring his success in breaking yet another F-1 record. And Max and his dad would have been right up front to congratulate Lewis.

[stefa]

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/32880861/lewis-hamilton-toto-wolff-not-attend-fia-prizegiving-gala

Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff will not attend FIA prizegiving gala

Yup, definitely sore losers. It really shows you the true character of both Hamilton and Wolff. After what they have achieved over the last 8 years to act like this is completely uncalled for. Cry me a river, you can’t win all the time so stop being sucks. The FIA should reprimand them for not showing up. Mercedes thinks they have so much power that everyone should bow down and do whatever they want. Screw you Toto, there is a new sherif in town.

:-E
What a bunch of sorry little cry B....!?!?!??

[stefa]

thank you for this... it REALLY makes for a fantastic wallpaper on my mobile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:clap:clap:clap

:thumb

[stefa]

Really is despicable that the dominant team and driver for the last 8 years or so, can behave so arrogantly to F1 and fans
They are giving a lesson to younsters in how not to accept defeat
Hope Ferrari, Red Bull, McL etc give them a pasting next year - they deserve it

One can show his great measure not only in victory, but also in defeat! Be a gentleman, human and put your hand and congrats!

[Silent Bob]

Susie Wolf also getting in on the drama, lamenting that the rules were changed - wonder why she didn't speak up when Merc got the FIA to change the rear wing testing mid season.

[SS454]

Susie Wolf also getting in on the drama, lamenting that the rules were changed - wonder why she didn't speak up when Merc got the FIA to change the rear wing testing mid season.

Toto, Lewis, and apparently Susie I am sure did not have a problem with the FIA not following their standard procedures of letting the lapped cars go, or taking 5.5 laps to clear 1 car and ending under SC. Yup, it's all fine and dandy if it benefits them.

[Cheeseman]

Drama queens, the lot of them. It's probably better if they don't attend the prize giving. Who wants a load of long faces, like horses in stables, spoiling the mood anyway? It's a celebration, don't need them moping around feeling sorry for themselves. I say f*** Toto, Lewis, Susie and the horse they rode in on. They are not bigger than Formula 1. The show goes on, with or without them.

[stefa]

Drama queens, the lot of them. It's probably better if they don't attend the prize giving. Who wants a load of long faces, like horses in stables, spoiling the mood anyway? It's a celebration, don't need them moping around feeling sorry for themselves. I say f*** Toto, Lewis, Susie and the horse they rode in on. They are not bigger than Formula 1. The show goes on, with or without them.

:clap

[Liscia]

Hoping Bottas and his partner have a good time at the ceremony if they attend and wish him well at Alfa-Romeo next year!

[paolo lalli]

There rein has come to an end.I doubt very much weather lewis or should I say sir lewis has the drive to continue, would not surprise me at all if he exits mid season should it get to hard.

[20000rpm]

Drama queens, the lot of them. It's probably better if they don't attend the prize giving. Who wants a load of long faces, like horses in stables, spoiling the mood anyway? It's a celebration, don't need them moping around feeling sorry for themselves. I say f*** Toto, Lewis, Susie and the horse they rode in on. They are not bigger than Formula 1. The show goes on, with or without them.

That's the spirit... who needs these losers cry babies. They came, fought and were defeated. It's not the end of the world. If Ham/Toto thinks they were robbed of victory, they would be working their ***** off to have a good car to win on track rather than bullying F1 to pocket wins.
What a bunch of whiney's..

[Brembo]

One can show his great measure not only in victory, but also in defeat! Be a gentleman, human and put your hand and congrats!

When Lewis wound up under Max's car with a tire hitting his helmet, Max gentlemanly and humanely just walked away . A tough act to follow!

[jgonzalesm6]

When Lewis wound up under Max's car with a tire hitting his helmet, Max gentlemanly and humanely just walked away . A tough act to follow!

Max returned his actions, not the crash mind you, but after the crash just like Lewis did at Silverstone for showing concern for Max.

[stefa]

Max returned his actions, not the crash mind you, but after the crash just like Lewis did at Silverstone for showing concern for Max.

Exactly!

[Tony]

Well, hopefully a deep rift opens up between the FIA and Mercedes to the benefit of everyone else. I'm tired of Mercedes getting away with everything.

[wisepie]

A good point made by ex F1 driver Jan Lammers is that there was nothing to stop Merc pitting Hamilton under the safety car as Red Bull did with Max, so it was their own fault that Max and RB took the all-important gamble and won. Track position is all, especially at the finish!

[DefaultSettings]

A good point made by ex F1 driver Jan Lammers is that there was nothing to stop Merc pitting Hamilton under the safety car as Red Bull did with Max, so it was their own fault that Max and RB took the all-important gamble and won. Track position is all, especially at the finish!

He must be an idiot. Verstappen had the advantage in that he could do whatever Hamilton did not do, given the fact that he was running in second place and could see what Hamilton does before his pit entry.
And if Hamilton had pit during the final safety car period, Verstappen would not have. Also Hamilton didnt choose to pit because the general feeling was that the race would not restart

[RossTheBoss]

Disgusting poor sportsmanship by the Mercedes team, IMHO.

They have had so much go their way for 8 years. They whole team has been blessed by Ilmor and Pirelli, giving them huge advantages over the rest of the field, where their drivers could just coast by the competition on the straights, all while other teams have had their performance enhancements slapped down by the FIA over the years.

Ferrari have been screwed out of many championships, in far worse ways than Mercedes did, and our team never behaved like such spoiled brats. Japan 1990 and Singapore 2008 anyone?

The rules were bent all season for Mercedes and Hammy. Bahrain were they cut the course all day, Silverstone and Hungary where they punted into the competition, Pirelli giving them an advantage, their cheat wing being allowed, Bottas trying to hold Max up at Jeddah, and Hammy cutting the course again in Abu Dhabi. They sure didn't mind the rules being bent all those times.

They used to run into our cars before this year, so I'm happy to see them lose.

If Ferrari really can turn up the heat in the engine department, we better watch out. Mercedes will become even more unglued, and you'll see Hammy running into us when he has to go wheel to wheel with Leclerc and Sainz.

[330 p4]

When Lewis wound up under Max's car with a tire hitting his helmet, Max gentlemanly and humanely just walked away . A tough act to follow!

Would have been a wonderful Mortal Kombat finishing move if when the wheel was on his head Max floored the throttle.

[Hornet]

He must be an idiot. Verstappen had the advantage in that he could do whatever Hamilton did not do, given the fact that he was running in second place and could see what Hamilton does before his pit entry.
And if Hamilton had pit during the final safety car period, Verstappen would not have. Also Hamilton didnt choose to pit because the general feeling was that the race would not restart

General feeling is as much of a gamble as Max pitting in hopes that Lewis didn't.
Merc gamble didn't work and that is all there is to it. Not sure why the need for them to throw a tantrum

[Brembo]

Would have been a wonderful Mortal Kombat finishing move if when the wheel was on his head Max floored the throttle.

Wonderful ? That could have caused Lewis life threatening permanent injuries or death. No one wishes that on anyone. I remember the 2010 Hungarian GP when Michael tried to push Rubens into a concrete wall .Rubens said he didn't want to die that way. He managed to pass the wall within only millimeters of hitting the wall. Similar to what you wished on Lewis. It was over finishing in 10th place Rubens got the point. Hard racing is one thing, Wonderful Mortal Combat ???

[Lesky]

When Lewis wound up under Max's car with a tire hitting his helmet, Max gentlemanly and humanely just walked away . A tough act to follow!

Considering Hamilton sat in his car pushing the throttle on and off like a madman trying to get lose from Max car, Max knew he was not injured and it would have been dangerous to approach a car trying to drive away. And on top of that Max of course had no idea whatseover at the time that a wheel had touched Lewis helmet.

[Cheeseman]

Wonderful ? That could have caused Lewis life threatening permanent injuries or death. No one wishes that on anyone. I remember the 2010 Hungarian GP when Michael tried to push Rubens into a concrete wall .Rubens said he didn't want to die that way. He managed to pass the wall within only millimeters of hitting the wall. Similar to what you wished on Lewis. It was over finishing in 10th place Rubens got the point. Hard racing is one thing, Wonderful Mortal Combat ???

If I didn't know any better I'd say you are a bit cut up about Lewis losing, bless..
Susie Wolff nearly rammed me in the middle of Oxford a couple of years ago because she was texting whilst driving. I didn't want to die that day either. I'm convinced that, in that split second, she wanted me dead.. We were only trying to get over a roundabout

[stefa]

Considering Hamilton sat in his car pushing the throttle on and off like a madman trying to get lose from Max car, Max knew he was not injured and it would have been dangerous to approach a car trying to drive away. And on top of that Max of course had no idea whatseover at the time that a wheel had touched Lewis helmet.
:clap

[Silent Bob]

Wonderful ? That could have caused Lewis life threatening permanent injuries or death. No one wishes that on anyone. I remember the 2010 Hungarian GP when Michael tried to push Rubens into a concrete wall .Rubens said he didn't want to die that way. He managed to pass the wall within only millimeters of hitting the wall. Similar to what you wished on Lewis. It was over finishing in 10th place Rubens got the point. Hard racing is one thing, Wonderful Mortal Combat ???

Even way back in 2010, I think the cars were equipped with brakes. Mostly they were used to slow down and avoid the car in front of you.

[Brembo]

Would have been a wonderful Mortal Kombat finishing move if when the wheel was on his head Max floored the throttle.

So this idea is A- OK by most fans here including Mods. March 20th can't come soon enough!

[Brembo]

Even way back in 2010, I think the cars were equipped with brakes. Mostly they were used to slow down and avoid the car in front of you.

Rubens came out alive with no injuries so he must have known how to best use his brakes even back then in 2010. He even wound up ahead ! Trying to put him into the wall still shows no respect for another human. F-1 drivers and FIA felt the same way; not just fans like me. I only wish today's drivers respect each others lives more than points. " What goes around; comes around."

[SilverSpeed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hXjcSqGrhc

[DIEK]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hXjcSqGrhc

Just came to leave this here, to liven up the end of the year parties...they are more electronic versions. :D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM6N2pxa79s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjgd9O8hO7k

[20000rpm]

Just came to leave this here, to liven up the end of the year parties...they are more electronic versions. :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM6N2pxa79s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjgd9O8hO7k

That was lit... :-D

[JPZ]

Have to say, this was one of the best seasons I've seen in a very long time.

The rivalry on and off the track was also super intense.

Also can't remember the last time I looked forward so much to watching a final race.

[20000rpm]

I thought GOAT's(allegedly)were supposed to be gentlemen in victory or defeat. Guess Lewis proved me wrong!!

https://youtu.be/zfu4o8hqsYU

[JPZ]

I thought GOAT's(allegedly)were supposed to be gentlemen in victory or defeat. Guess Lewis proved me wrong!!

https://youtu.be/zfu4o8hqsYU

Some of the comments below that video are hilarious. :lol

[PURE PASSION]



Joe Saward: "It is more likely that Ferrari will be in the spotlight when it announces that former FIA President Jean Todt will return to Maranello is some sort of super-consultant role, which will involve both the race & car company. Expect to see Jean at races in 2022."

[stefa]

I thought GOAT's(allegedly)were supposed to be gentlemen in victory or defeat. Guess Lewis proved me wrong!!

https://youtu.be/zfu4o8hqsYU

Was, is and will be little B!

[Brembo]

I thought GOAT's(allegedly)were supposed to be gentlemen in victory or defeat. Guess Lewis proved me wrong!!

https://youtu.be/zfu4o8hqsYU

A GOAT trying to push his former Ferrari team mate into a concrete wall was for sure not gentlemanly and in this case to his own defeat . It was for 10th place! Had Rubens not held his own @ 200 mph and drove to safely miss the wall he would have been dead or crippled . At the time F-1 ; drivers and bosses and fans all thought it was a terrible way for any driver to drive. And no apology to boot.

[stefa]

A GOAT trying to push his former Ferrari team mate into a concrete wall was for sure not gentlemanly and in this case to his own defeat . It was for 10th place! Had Rubens not held his own @ 200 mph and drove to safely miss the wall he would have been dead or crippled . At the time F-1 ; drivers and bosses and fans all thought it was a terrible way for any driver to drive. And no apology to boot.

STOP TROLLING!!!!!!!!!

[JPZ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Jopqa6P8A