Max Verstappen’s overtaking maneuver in the final lap against Lewis Hamilton was preceded by controversial decisions by race director Michael Masi, which could have consequences. The protest that Mercedes made was thrown out by the race stewards on Sunday evening, but the “Silver Arrows” immediately made it clear that one of the rejected objections would not be allowed to stand.
One point of attack is the decision not to allow all lapped vehicles to lap back during the safety car phase, but only to those who were between the leader Hamilton and the pursuer Verstappen. On the other hand, the regulations stipulate that after lapping back, it would have taken another lap before the race could have been reopened. Both of these were made possible by Verstappen’s victory.
Remarkable: In order to reject the protests, the race stewards used the same reasoning as Red Bull. At another point, the regulations give race director Masi “overriding authority” in the use of the safety car, which justified the race one lap before the finish line yet to be released.
Masi, who has already been criticized for his fickle line, emphasized that there had been an agreement with the teams for a long time not to end races behind the safety car. Mercedes, which initially canceled all press appointments, now has until Thursday evening to appeal. The London “Times” reported that it will probably not be used.
Helmut Marko sharply criticized Mercedes’ approach. “It is unworthy of a world championship final that the decision is delayed like that. But that speaks for the attitude of an unworthy loser if you lodge such objections,” said Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, who called for the rules to be simplified. The Styrian is even threatening a Red Bull exit: “We will rethink our involvement in Formula 1 if that doesn’t have the appropriate effects.”
Lando Norris’ view of the incidents was more impartial. “It was made for TV of course,” said the McLaren driver. The situation was handled in such a way as to give the spectators a showdown on the track.
Source: Nachrichten
