Poll: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021, Yas Island - Race 22

[Kenai]

Mark my words. Next season will be more popular than ever and they will milk this controversy for all its worth.

I hope for the long term health of the sport, next year sees enough of a shake up that we see a McLaren vs Ferrari battle or something and this now extremely toxic Mercedes Red Bull rivalry becomes an irrelevant footnote on an epic season of Norris, Ricciardo, Sainz and Leclerc going toe to toe.

 

[Slam62]

Masi decided the result, he was obviously under pressure to prioritise entertainment.

Lewis was unlucky but did all he could.

 

[muon]

I'm afraid I ain't paying £240 a year to watch this anymore.

All sports and games are about the rules which ensure a level playing field. F1 was already suffering with fake "budget caps" and now it turns out the rules aren't even concrete.

 

[Locky]

I hope for the long term health of the sport, next year sees enough of a shake up that we see a McLaren vs Ferrari battle or something and this now extremely toxic Mercedes Red Bull rivalry becomes an irrelevant footnote on an epic season of Norris, Ricciardo, Sainz and Leclerc going toe to toe.

Thing is it won't happen as none of them can even hold a candle to Lewis or Max...

 

[Kanpai]

And hungry
Max deserved to win the championship, shame its going to be overshadowed by the fia making a complete joke of everything again.

Yeh but over time Max being a world champion will be the status quo, just like previous WDC winners regardless of how they were won

 

[the wopster]

Having considered the various statements made by the parties the Stewards determine the following:

That Article 15.3 allows the Race Director to control the use of the safety car, which in our determination includes its deployment and withdrawal.

That although Article 48.12 may not have been applied fully, in relation to the safety car returning to the pits at the end of the following lap, Article 48.13 overrides that and once the message “Safety Car in this lap” has been displayed, it is mandatory to withdraw the safety car at the end of that lap.

That notwithstanding Mercedes’ request that the Stewards remediate the matter by amending the classification to reflect the positions at the end of the penultimate lap, this is a step that the Stewards believe is effectively shortening the race retrospectively, and hence not appropriate.

Accordingly, the Protest is dismissed. The Protest Deposit is not refunded

Yeah that gets ripped apart in court TBH, you can’t choose to only partly apply a rule as written

 

[DM8104]

Massively gutted as I'm a big Lewis fan. Was always worried during the race even when Lewis seemed to be in control. Farcical end to the race, and incredibly unlucky for Lewis.

 

[iamtheoneneo]

I really hope Merc pull out of F1 now.. I know it will screw Russell and the peoples jobs but to race like that isn't racing at all..

Yes let's ruin 1000s of peoples careers over a championship race.

 

[Flibster]

Mercedes intention to appeal has been lodged with the FIA.

 

[koolpc]

Ha, I appreciate you’re fishing here but you can’t honestly believe it was deserved? Embarrassing really that Max will go down in the history books as the champion and his fans will never admit that he’s only won because the FIA haven’t followed their own rules.

If it had been Ham, you would have agreed with the win! Lol

Max should have been allowed into first position after Ham went off the track.

Then, he had his own back by overtaking Ham on the last lap in a superb show of awesome driving and team decision of bringing him in for fresh tyres!

Well done Max....

 

[Slam62]

Yeah but it's still entertaining who cares if Max won, bring on next year and more rubbish.
I watched for decades while prost senna Schumacher dominated, Lewis has had a very good run. Time to move on.
I just hope nobody dominates next year.

 

[chroniclard]

Basically Hamilton was 10-0 up and FIA said right next goal wins. Playground level incompetence.

 

[Slam62]

When's testing starting

 

[m4rmite]

I wonder how much Masi had on Max at the bookies?

In a few years he'll be found out to be like Sepp Blatter.

 

[Jono8]

Yeah but it's still entertaining who cares if Max won, bring on next year and more rubbish.
I watched for decades while prost senna Schumacher dominated, Lewis has had a very good run. Time to move on.
I just hope nobody dominates next year.

How is a sport entertaining when the rules aren't applied?

Might as well just make it all up and make it a fictional drama.

 

[iamtheoneneo]

When's testing starting

Next week for some teams

 

[the wopster]

How is a sport entertaining when the rules aren't applied?

Might as well just make it all up and make it a fictional drama.

All Sport needs two things, application of the rules and integrity, if you don’t do one you lose the other

 

[muon]

I'll watch again if Massi goes and they overhaul the regulations over winter to avoid the many problems this season has had.

Changing the rulebook mid race has truly screwed over one party. It was obvious to Ricciardo who was in prime position to experience the bizarre turn of events.

 

[fez]

Yes but there isn't match fixing in football and when there is the team gets punished. Essentially you have had match fixing today by a third party.

Is this match fixing or is the same as a referee giving a penalty to one side that is soft as hell and not to another. If you want equivalence, would it be match fixing if two teams fighting for the title on the final day of the season got a bad decision that benefitted one and cost the other the game.

I don't think it was "fixing" per se, I just think that F1 want drama and entertainment and in those few minutes Masi made the decision to let Lewis and Max battle on the last lap because he thought it would be the best for entertainment. He didn't think it through properly and thought he would be the hero of the day by giving us the ultimate final lap racing that we didn't think would happen. It was end an exciting season on a safety car or end it with the two drivers going at each other for one last lap.

It was perhaps an emotional decision instead of a technical one.

 

[dannyjo22]

It's a sad say for both camps

Max's first championship will never be seen as legitimate by fans in general

People said the same when MS won his first title by cheating, years later it’s still his first title and few people care. With Max many seem to think he’s worthy and none of this has anything to do with him, unlike the MS example.

 

[Flibster]

I wonder how much Masi had on Max at the bookies?

Should have gone with Paddy Power, wouldn't have mattered, they were paying out on Hamilton winning the race and the Championship. When a betting company is paying out based on your influence, you know you screwed up...

 

[Kanpai]

I'll watch again if Massi goes and they overhaul the regulations over winter to avoid the many problems this season has had.

That was a quick change from I’m not paying £240 to the above. Just need MissChief to get you a good deal on the package and welcome back

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I appreciate that this is a highly charged thread, but baiting/trolling posts will not be tolerated any longer.