Theres no requirement under the rules they catch up to the pack again in the rules. Taking the lapped cars out of the way and allowing it to be a fair fight is consistent with their „let them race“ decisions

 

And no one can complain about this decision if they defended the lap 1 decision. Because even Sky UK think that was wrong

Catching up to the pack isn't in question though.

It's about whether it needs to be all lapped cars and about the line in the rules that states the safety car stays out another lap after that pass.

 

 

Because the rules clearly state the safety car stays out another lap I wouldn't be surprised if Mercedes appeal this result.

 

 

For me Max was the most worthy champion but this result may well be viewed as controversial in the same way 1989 is.

Mercedes are alleged to have lodged two protests already

Mercedes have protested

 

 

Despite saying they don’t want to win the world championship in the stewards room. That clearly only applied when they thought they’d be the one who’d win on the road

It's going to be a long night/week/off season.

I've always thought it unfair that if the leader builds up a big time gap to the car in second place, that lead is wiped out if a safety car comes out. I know the virtual safety car was introduced to stop this happening as often but it can't be used every time. It would be fairer if the car that overtakes the leader has to win by a margin that exceeds the time gap at the time the safety car came out.

 

 

Congratulations for Max :cheer:

If they change the result after the end, it will cause quite a lot of fallout.

Apparently BBC have been told that Merc have already pre-emptively filed an appeal with CAS.

 

This is some seriously desperate stuff

crazy last lap, didn't think Max could overtake but he did, incredible

The FIA has dismissed the first of Merc's two protests, relating to Verstappen passing Hamilton before Safety Car line

That one was always total BS

crazy last lap, didn't think Max could overtake but he did, incredible

Really? I thought it was pretty inevitable given the age of tyres and compounds

Looks like the second appeal has been thrown out too

Max is champ

@1470106800687128579

In a nutshell, the Race Director has the authority to make an overriding decision on the withdrawal or deployment of the safety car, and of how many cars may unlap themselves.

The claims of Mercedes:

 

Mercedes claimed that there were two breaches of the Sporting Regulations (Article 48.12) namely that which states “..any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass

the cars on the lead lap and the safety car” and “…once the last lapped car has passed the leader

the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap.”

 

Mercedes argued that had this been complied with, Car 44 would have won the race.

 

They therefore requested the Stewards to amend the Classification under Article 11.9.3.h of the FIA International Sporting Code.

 

Red Bull’s arguments in defence:

 

Red Bull argued that

 

1. “Any” does not mean “all”.

2. The article 48.13 of the Sporting Regulations states that the message “Safety Car in this lap” is the signal that it will enter the pit lane at the end of that lap.

3. That therefore Article 48.13 “overrides” article 48.12.

4. That article 15.3 gives the race director “overriding authority” over “the use of the safety car”.

5. That even if all cars that had been lapped (eight in total, of which five were allowed to overtake the safety car) it would not have changed the outcome of the race.

 

Race Director’s Evidence

 

The race director stated that the purpose of article 48.12 was to remove those lapped cars that would “interfere” in the racing between the leaders and that in his view article 48.13 was the one that applied in this case.

 

The race director also stated that it had long been agreed by all the teams that where possible it was highly desirable for the race to end in a “green” condition (i.e. not under a Safety Car).

 

Conclusions of the Stewards:

 

The Stewards consider that the protest is admissible.

 

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.

Edited December 12, 20213 yr by Severin

I'm not an F1 fan, but saw the highlights. Someone on Twitter described it perfectly - a long game of football with your mates and then someone shouts "next goal wins" despite the score :D :lol: There's no way the result is going to get overturned, despite any protests. With my limited knowledge of F1, I do think it is rather harsh. Can't really fault either of the drivers, not their fault. I'm not always a massive Hamiltin fan and I know he has his haters, but taking that decision (at least publically) is the sign of a true great sportsman.

 

Would say as a neutral it's not really a good day for the FIA though, some dodgy locations for grand prixs over the finale and now just an all round feck up when people should have been talking about how good Max/Lewis were as a champion.

Max is champ

 

Yay! :D

 

All this protesting but they were the ones that decided to stay out and not pit for new tyres. You take a risk and it doesn't pay off, you have to accept the consequences. I don't think I've had minded either winning but it has certaintly made it a great championship to follow. It also means Emma Raducanu will now deservedly win BBC SPotY.

I feel for Lewis, had absolutely dominated the race. Not sure I agree with the stewards that he gave back the advantage on the first lap but definitely don't think he should have given the place back

 

I'm not sure Mercedes could have done anything differently, the lead car always has the disadvantage when there's a safety car. Imagine if they'd pitted and he finished 2nd as it was never cleared.

 

The penalties were out of desperation, but not sure they can be criticised for it, 100% of teams would have done the exact same thing. The overseeing of some races this season has been an absolute farce, has certainly felt like there's been a desperation to end with this showdown.

Edited December 12, 20213 yr by RabbitFurCoat