FIA race director Michael Masi needed a grand four minutes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 to reverse his decision of not allowing cars to overtake
As the Formula 2021 season finale came down to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021, either one of Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen stepped out knowing he would be crowned the champion at the end of the 58 laps. However, FIA race director Michael Masi wasn’t interested in allowing only the two drivers to steal all the limelight with him going onto emerge as the biggest talking point of the event.
Explained Four Minute Timeline Of FIA Race Director Michael Masi Having A Change Of Heart
Things went haywire on the night with only five laps left to go as Nicholas Latifi ended up crashing into the barrier in lap 53. His crash saw the safety car being deployed to clear up the track, a period during which Max Verstappen was asked by Red Bull to pit for fresh soft tyres.
1827H: Lapped cars not allowed to overtake
1829H: Christian Horner: "Michael, we just need 1 lap without the lapped cars"
1831H: Lapped cars between Lewis and Max (5 cars) only allowed to pass
1831H: safety car in this lapTell me this isn't rigged pic.twitter.com/AOTuUYRBrF
— Aleef™ (@AleefHamilton44) December 13, 2021
Given the hiatus in racing, news came in at 18:27 of the FIA deciding that no one would be allowed to overtake once the race restarted. However, only four minutes later at 18:31, Masi decided to overhaul his decision with him allowing five lapped cars to overtake.
The baffling change of heart from the Australian sent rippled across the world of F1 with the decision allowing Verstappen to go past Hamilton and eventually ended up with the drivers’ championship title on the night. While Mercedes went onto lodge a double protest citing a breach article 48.12, the protest was thrown out by FIA stewards owing to article 15.3 which saw the Dutchman retain his title.
Mercedes went onto file an intention to appeal but reports since state that Toto Wolff has decided against approaching the FIA International Court of Appeal.
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