Know what are article 48.8 and 48.12 of the FIA sporting regulations of whose breach Mercedes have launched a double protest at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021
Looking set to win his eighth F1 drivers’ championship title with him in the lead in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 on Sunday, things went horridly wrong for Lewis Hamilton with just five laps to go. As Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barrier, the safety car was deployed to clean up the mess from the crash.
What ensured was mayhem with Toto Wolff getting on the FIA team radio with race director Michael Masi to complain about how the set of events were unravelling. However, he was instantly shut down by Masi who decided that teams could start overtaking after previously informing sides that teams would not be allowed to overtake lapped cars.
Explained Article 48.8 And 48.12 Of The FIA Regulations Under Which Mercedes Have Protested
With Red Bull utilizing the break to put fresh soft tyres on Verstappen’s car, he aided with his new tyres and the FIA’s decision of allowing the five lapped cars between the two title rivals unlap themselves, instead of all lapped cars as is the usual procedure, the Dutchman managed to win. Mercedes who managed to take home the Constructors’ title have now gone onto launch a double protest to the FIA.
One protest is regarding Article 48.8 of the sporting regulations, which says “no driver may overtake another car on the track, including the safety car, until he passes the Line (see Article 5.3) for the first time after the safety car has returned to the pits.”
The second protest was based on Article 48.12, which says that “any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car.”
Race control had given the order for Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel – to pass the safety car ahead of the restart while Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll and Mick Schumacher were not given it.
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