2021 - Racetrackmasters

Alpine will also compromise 2022 WEC season

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago06 mins

Alpine moved up to the Le Mans Hypercar class this year with its LMP2 partner Signatech, running the Oreca-designed A480 that previously raced in the WEC as the Rebellion R-13. However, it was forced to play second fiddle to its only full-season rival Toyota, primarily due to a smaller fuel tank, with the Japanese manufacturer securing a clean sweep of victories with its pair of GR010 Hybrids built to new LMH rules. With Peugeot returning to endurance racing next year, and full season entries from Glickenhaus and ByKolles on the cards, Alpine could even struggle to finish on the podium next year unless it is offered a major Balance of Performance boost by series organisers ACO. However, Signatech boss Philippe Sinault says Alpine was aware that it would be on the back foot when it agreed to race a previous generation LMP1 car in WEC, and its main focus remains on building a LMDh contender for 2024 with the goal of winning Le Mans 24 Hours. “We knew [the situation] since the start of the project,” Sinault told Motorsport.com prior to the Bahrain 8 Hours finale. “For sure this year and next year will be a compromise year and we have to accept that, it’s the game, to prepare for 2024 and the future. “So we are not upset with that. We have to play with the tools that we have this year and next year.” As the Alpine A480 is based on an Oreca LMP2 chassis, it cannot house a fuel tank large enough to match the stint lengths of Toyota’s hypercars. This has left Alpine with an inherent disadvantage to its rival, with the French manufacturer often having to make at least one more pitstop over the course of six and eight hour races than Toyota to complete the same distance. A larger capacity fuel tank arrived before the Le Mans 24 Hours and the outfit managed to deliver more tangible gains by fixing its fuel consumption issues before the Bahrain finale. However, it was still left with a two-lap deficit to the Toyotas when it came to stint lengths, meaning it wouldn’t have realistically been able to put up a fight for victory even without the gearbox issues that left it five laps down from the leaders. Sinault says Alpine has maximised the size of the fuel tank under the A480’s current homologation and doesn’t want the organisers to artificially slow down Toyota just to make his outfit more competitive next year. “I think in terms of fuel capacity we’ve made the maximum before Le Mans, after that we must get something [from the ACO/FIA],” he said. “We shall see, it will not be homologated anymore [if we can change the fuel tank]. “We did a good job and we can do a stronger job with [engine supplier] Gibson, they are really, really good partner and we pushed a lot for [fuel] consumption with them. “Today the thing is to ask Toyota to be slower but it’s not fair. The BoP is not my favourite spirit of sport. It’s not fair to say, ‘Toyota please slow down’. “We have to improve by ourselves in every area and FIA and ACO are always open, if we find something we can ask them if we can do this. So it’s quite clear. “At the moment we are still at the maximum of the potential of the car as you can imagine, with tyres, with consumption, and we’ve improved our engine management.”

#KeepFightingMichael – Fans commemorate 8th anniversary since Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

Formula 1 fans allover the world have united in wishing seven-time champion and Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher well on the eighth anniversary since his horror ski crash in the French Alps. Formula One fans have urged Michael Schumacher to “keep fighting” on the eighth anniversary of his horror ski crash. Tributes have poured in for the legendary German on social media, with #KeepFightingMichael trending on Twitter. Schumacher, who retired from racing in 2012 with the most wins in F1 history at the time, suffered traumatic head injuries in a skiing accident at the Meribel resort on the French Alps on this day in December 2013. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash – but it cracked on impact, leaving the former Ferrari ace in need of serious medical attention. The 52-year-old was soon air-lifted to hospital in Grenoble before undergoing two operations and being placed in a medically-induced coma for six months. After regaining consciousness, Schumacher was moved from the Grenoble University Hospital in France to the University Hospital of Lausanne, western Switzerland, for rehabilitation. In September 2014, he was able to return to his home on the banks of Lake Geneva for further rehabilitation. He has remained there ever since. In a recent Netflix documentary celebrating Schumacher’s life, his wife Corinna spoke about just how much she missed some of her husband’s characteristics from before the tragic accident. “Of course I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him. The children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is still here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength, I find,”she said. “We’re together, we live together at home. We do therapy, we do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable, and to simply make him feel our family, our bond,” Corinna added. “Keep fighting champ, we’re all with you #KeepFightingMichael @schumacher,” wrote one emotional fan on social media. Someone else added: “It has been 8 years since his horrific accident – Schumacher is and always will be my hero. It is thanks to him that I love #F1 and #Motorsport as much as I do. We all send you our best wishes, as always. #KeepFightingMichael.” A third person tweeted, “Hard to believe eight years have passed since Michael’s accident Always in our thoughts and we keep praying for positive news #KeepFightingMichael #F1.” While another F1 fan said, “The greatest to ever do it in my eyes, an inspiration for so many people around the world, we love you michael. #KeepFightingMichael.”

Calabresi replaces Guidotti as Pramac’s team manager

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

Pramac Ducati hires Claudio Calabresi to take over from Francesco Guidotti, promotes Fonsi Nieto. Following the departure of team manager Francesco Guidotti to KTM, Pramac Ducati has hired Claudio Calabresi as his replacement and promoted former grand prix winner Fonsi Nieto from Rider Coach to Sports Director. Pramac enjoyed its best season in MotoGP during 2021, claiming the first ever race win by a satellite Ducati team with rookie Jorge Martin while Johann Zarco briefly led the world championship on his way to a new Pramac high of fifth overall. Along the way, the team took eight podiums and five pole positions. Calabresi arrives at Pramac with managerial experience from ‘a career in global energy companies, lastly as Executive Vice President Commercial Director of Eni Refining and Marketing, and his great passion for motorcycling’. He has also been Pramac MotoE’s team manager since the project’s inception. “Claudio’s growth within our team is the testimony of the esteem and confidence I have in him, and I am convinced that after three seasons as Team Manager in MotoE he will be up to this new and important challenge,” said Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti. “We can’t wait to start this new adventure together, certain that Pramac Racing will be one of the top teams in the MotoGP and that next season will bring great satisfaction. The close collaboration with Fonsi will also guarantee us solid skills and experience from a sporting point of view.” Calabresi added: “I am very proud that Paolo Campinoti thought of me for this position. We’ve been working together on different projects for several years and developed a strong relationship of respect and friendship.” “Now a new chapter opens for me, where curiosity, passion and experience will be at full disposal of the team, with the greatest commitment to remain one of the most competitive teams in MotoGP.” Pramac will field an unchanged MotoGP rider line-up this season and again have access to Ducati’s latest, GP22, machines. While Pramac has moved quickly to fill the void left by Guidotti, Suzuki is yet to announce a replacement team manager following Davide Brivio’s departure one year ago, or if Brivio himself will return.

Mercedes will be going back to silver livery for 2022

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 team will be reverting to the silver livery for the 2022 season. Mercedes will be going back to the future after deciding to use silver livery for 2022 F1 season. This is after the team used a black livery for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. Previously they had been using a silver livery until they decided to change the livery to black as part of the continued Black Lives Matter social awareness initiative that has been so important to Sir Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, who is Black, came less than one lap from winning his eighth F1 drivers’ championship after F1 race director Michael Masi allowed lapped cars in-between Hamilton and Max Verstappen to pass the safety car ahead of the last lap restart. At the time of the announcement of the black livery for the team, Mercedes AMG Petronas made it clear they wished to see more inclusion and social justice. In a statement, they said, “For 2020, we have chosen to race in an all-black base livery as a public pledge to improve the diversity of our team and a clear statement that we stand against racism and all forms of discrimination. The call to ‘End Racism’ will feature on the halo of both cars, and the united F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will be featured on the mirrors of the W11.” Since then, Hamilton has kept the 2022 season on edge as rumors swirl that he may retire after the controversial finish to the season. The move to silver is not seen as an affront to the Black Lives Matter effort by Mercedes. They, and Hamilton, are dedicated to stamping out racism. Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One announced in June of 2020 that the black livery would be just for the 2020 season. Hamilton has formed a panel to increase diversity in motorsports.

Signatures for a petition to make Lewis Hamilton 2021 champion get to 40,000

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

A petition attempting to make Sir Lewis Hamilton the 2021 F1 world champion has now been signed by almost 40,000 people. The season-ending 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix got criticism from many Formula 1 fans as race director Michael Masi was accused of manufacturing a grand stand finish between Hamilton and Max Verstappen. A crash for Williams’ Nicholas Latifi brought out a late Safety Car, and Red Bull brought their Dutch driver into the pits for fresh tyres. Mercedes kept Hamilton out on track, fearing that he would lose tack position and could have ended up P2, had there been insufficient time to restart the race. One of the time constraints appeared in the form of lapped runners, five of whom were between Hamilton and Verstappen the two race leaders. Race director Michael Masi initially ruled that none of the lapped cars would be permitted to pass the Safety Car, before in a strange turn of events deciding to let the five at the front pass, but none of the others. Verstappen was then able to pass Hamilton on the very last lap to claim the championship. It led an angered Hamilton to say on the radio that the race had been “manipulated”, and Mercedes instantly protested the race result. Upon seeing their protests denied, the Constructors’ Champions lodged an intention to appeal, but eventually withdrew this. A petition was then started to overrule the championship result and award Hamilton his eighth championship. The person who created the petition, Patel Gordon-Bennett, argues that what transpired in Abu Dhabi sends a “very wrong message to youngsters and future racers.” In his petition, he wrote: “I believe that justice was not served on Sunday December 12, 2021 when the FIA stewards denied Lewis Hamilton of his win of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “With less than 1 lap remaining, some lapped cars were allowed to pass the safety car, which does not comply with the rules of the F1 sport. “This gave rival opponent Max Verstappen the opportunity to overtake Lewis Hamilton and win the Grand Prix. If you are an advocate of justice, honesty and fairness, please sign this petition. “Leaving this decision as it stands will send a very wrong message to youngsters and future racers.”

Lewis Hamilton is taking a break from ‘very toxic’ social media – Nicolas Hamilton

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

Nicolas Hamilton, brother to Lewis Hamilton disclosed that the seven-time world champion is taking a break off ‘very toxic’ social media. This comes as Hamilton went quiet on social media after season finale in Abu Dhabi where title rival Max Verstappen claimed the championship title after a last minute dash following a controversial Safety Car. Nicolas Hamilton who is a racer in British Touring Car Champion revealed the reason for Lewis Hamilton’s absence from social media over his Twitch channel. “I think he is just having a bit of a social media break,” Hamilton explained. “Which I don’t blame him for. Social media can be a very toxic place.” “Social media can be a very toxic place. But he’s cool, though. He’s fine.” The pair were spending time with their family, he added. “He’s cool though, he’s fine. He’s watching the kids ski at the moment.” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told Motorsport-total.com recently that Hamilton “simply lacks words” after the controversial ending to the 2021 season. “We are all wavering in emotions, Lewis most of all,” Wolff told Motorsport-total.com. “He was winning the World Championship until the last lap, and then everything is taken away from you from one second [to the next]. Of course, you lose faith because you can’t understand what has just happened. “The silence is there, of course, because he simply lacks words as well.”

FIA, Verstappen and Latifi slammed after Abu Dhabi GP controversy

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

German rally champion legend Walter Rohrl has slammed the International Federation of Automobiles(FIA), newly crowned Formula 1 Champion Max Verstappen and Williams driver Nicholas Latifi. This comes after a controversial Abu Dhabi GP season finale where Verstappen won the race after a controversial Safety Car which was brought out after Nicholas Latifi’s crash. The 74-year old two-time rally champion will not be the first driver to criticise Michael Masi’s and the stewards decisions on the final laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which changed the final outcome of the race. “Now I know that in future I don’t have to waste a minute watching a Formula 1 race on television. I can save time and fool myself,” Rohrl told Straubinger Tagblatt newspaper. Although an FIA hall of fame member, the German insists that races should be decided on the track or in a fair, clear process “that is not influenced by any opaque external decisions”. But Rohrl even criticised “amateur driver” Nicholas Latifi for the crash that triggered the contentious safety car period and “decided the world championship”. “It leaves such a bad aftertaste,” he said. As for new world champion Verstappen, Rohrl described the Dutchman as an “ice-cold, characterless driver with disregard” for his rivals. “But that’s exactly how you have to be in order to win,” he acknowledged.

Verstappen had a ‘very painful’ muscle cramp on the final title deciding lap in Abu Dhabi

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago06 mins

Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has revealed he was under intense pain on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 24-year old Red Bull driver in an absolute turn of events overtook title rival Lewis Hamilton on the last lap winning the final race claiming the 2021 Championship title. Verstappen initiated the overtake on Turn 5 after the end of a controversial Safety Car that brought about a lot of criticism on the manner in which the Safety car situation was handled. Mercedes went ahead to protest the matter to the Race Stewards but was dismissed, however the team declared they have no intentions of appealing the matter further. With the issue put to rest, Verstappen was free to receive the championship trophy at the FIA Prize Giving Gala yesterday. The Red Bull driver admitted his chances to win the championship title seemed lost until the final lap when he pulled off an overtake on Hamilton. “Throughout that whole race we didn’t have the pace,” said Verstappen. “It didn’t look like we were going to win because the last few races we were just a bit behind. “But I never gave up. I always said to myself I’m not going to make it look easy for them. I’m just going to keep pushing and I’m going to try everything I can to at least keep the gap close. And that’s what we did.” Red Bull “did a great job with the strategy always putting new tyres on at the right time”, said Verstappen. That left him on fresh set of soft tyres at the end of the race while Hamilton had 44-lap-old hard rubber for what turned out to be a one-lap restart. “You do need a bit of luck sometimes,” Verstappen admitted. “When you look throughout the whole season, we had a lot of bad luck and I actually lost a lot of points already. So otherwise it would have been a completely different championship. But that’s always, you have the ‘ifs’. “So, going into that race and then seeing it was not happening, I wasn’t very happy at the time for 55 laps or something. But then we had one lap to go and I knew I had the better tyres on. I was like, ‘well, I have nothing to lose now.’” However, as he restarted the race in Hamilton’s slipstream, Verstappen was struck by a sudden pain. “I started to cross the line for the last lap and I got a massive cramp in my leg,” he explained. “So I had to deal with that in my throttle leg as well. “So when I was going to go for the move into turn five, I had a massive cramp. I was actually very happy there was a corner coming up because I could actually brake. But that was also then the move to go into the lead, which was great.” Having got ahead of Hamilton, Verstappen had to keep him behind through the runs to turns six and seven and again to turn nine. “There were two long straights to defend and to deal with a cramp like that is not very nice,” he said. “But I also knew that I’m fighting for a world championship here, and it’s always been my dream. So I was just biting through that moment. On TV you don’t see these kind of things but it was very painful. “Of course to then come over the line all the emotions came out. I didn’t even know what to say. We were just screaming. I never had so many people screaming into my earpieces. I think I’m still a bit deaf.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem replaces Jean Todt as the new FIA President

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been elected as the new International Automobile Federation President replacing Jean Todt. The FIA confirmed the news on Friday after an election was held and the former rally driver from Dubai emerged as the winner after standing against FIA’s vice president Graham Stocker. Jean Todt will be retiring from the seat after serving three terms in the office. Mohammed Ben Sulayem will be the first non-European federation president. Graham Stocker who is a British lawyer was beaten in the race for the seat despite serving as the vice president for 11 years since 2009. The FIA serves as the governing body for Formula 1, Formula E, World Endurance Championship(WEC) and World Rally Championship(WRC) among other motorsports championships. “The votes are in and we’ve won. We are thrilled that 62% of all clubs have given us their vote,” a tweet read from Ben Sulayem’s campaign on Twitter dubbed ‘FIA for Members’. With Mohammed Ben Sulayem taking the top seat in FIA, Formula 1 will be one of his top priorities after a rather controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Season finale. The race received a lot of criticism after a controversial final lap safety car procedure changed the outcome of the championship title after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race claiming the Drivers Championship title. Mercedes protested the race win but got dismissed by the Race Stewards later, with the team boss Toto Wolff saying Lewis Hamilton was ‘robbed’ of his record breaking eighth championship title. FIA Race Director Michael Masi received a lot of criticism after the controversial safety car directive. FIA promised to look into the issue which is said to be ‘tarnishing’ its name and also clarify the rules and regulations in regards to the sport. Mohammed Ben Sulayen was previously a member of the World Motor Sport Council and also served as FIA’s vice president. The 60-yea old will be deputised by Robert Reid who was formerly a co-driver to the late WRC champion Richard Burns. Bernie Ecclestone’s wife Fabianna will be the vice president in South America.

Toto Wolff says Hamilton may end his F1 career after Abu Dhabi GP controversy

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton may quit Formula 1 racing after getting disappointed in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale. Hamilton lost the race that would see him claim a record breaking eighth championship title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after a controversial last lap Safety Car. The directives given by Formula 1 Race Director Michael Masi allowed the the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake the Safety Car despite initially saying it would not be allowed. The Safety Car cut Hamilton’s 10 second lead and Verstappen got the upper hand winning the race. This got Mercedes disappointed by the absolute turn of events with Wolff saying the race controversy got him and Hamilton ‘disillusioned’ with Formula 1 as a sport. “It is going to take a long time to digest what has happened on Sunday….. I don’t think we will ever get over it, that’s not possible,” Wolff told reporters. “Lewis and I are disillusioned at the moment. We’re not disillusioned with the sport. We love the sport with every bone in our body. And we love it because the stopwatch never lies.” “But if we break that fundamental principle of spotting fairness and authenticity of the sport, then suddenly the stopwatch doesn’t become relevant anymore. Because we are exposed to random decision-making. “And it is clear that you may fall out of love with a sport if you start to question, with all the work you have been doing, all the sweat and tears and blood.” Toto Wolff did not disclose whether Hamilton will be back for the 2022 F1 season in February as the Brit’s contract with Mercedes runs upto the end of 2022. “I would very much hope that Lewis continues racing because he’s the greatest driver of all time,” the 49-year-old said. “We will be working through the events over the next weeks and months and I think that as a racer, his heart will say ‘I need to continue’, because he is at the peak of his game. “But we have to overcome the pain that was caused upon him on Sunday, also because he is a man with clear values and it is difficult for him to understand how that happened.” “I just have to do the utmost that I can to help him overcome this, in order for him to return strong and with a love of the sport and trust in the decision-making of the sport next year, and I wish very much that will be the case.” Hamilton has been silent after the Yas Marina race and quietly jetted back to UK on Wednesday to receive a knighthood award from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle.

Charles Leclerc tests positive for COVID-19

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is currently under isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. The team announced the news on Thursday adding that Leclerc tested positive for the disease on his way back home from Abu Dhabi. This comes after the conclusion of the 2021 Formula 1 Season last weekend. This is the second time that the Monesgague is testing positive for COVID-19 after suffering the same back in January displaying very mild symptoms. The statement from Ferrari’s social media handle read: “Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow driver Charles Leclerc has tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with protocols required by FIA and the team, Charles was tested on his return from Abu Dhabi.” “He is currently feeling fine, with mild symptoms and will self-isolate at home.” Leclerc finished P10 in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale ranking seventh in the Drivers Championship behind his teammate Carlos Sainz and McLaren driver Lando Norris. Ferrari was third in the Constructors title. Other drivers who tested positive for COVID-19 in the 2021 F1 season were Kimi Raikkonen and Nikita Mazepin. Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez also sat out in some of the races last season after contracting the disease.

Hamilton and Wolff to miss FIA Prize Giving Gala

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and driver Lewis Hamilton will not be attending Thursday’s FIA Prize Giving Gala in Paris. The event which is held after the end of every Formula 1 season requires the top three drivers in the championship to attend. This means championship winner Max Verstappen, first runner up Lewis Hamilton and second runner up Valtteri Bottas have to make an appearance for the event. However, Hamilton and his boss Toto Wolff confirmed they will not be attending the event despite Mercedes taking its eighth consecutive Constructors Championship title. According to article 6.6 of the Sporting Regulations Act, drivers finishing first, second and third in the Championship must be present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony. This means that Hamilton will be in breach of the rule but it is not yet clear if the seven-time world champion will face any disciplinary action for missing the event. The Mercedes Formula one and Formula E team also missed the Tuesday photoshoot pre-Gala event. The Formula E team took both the drivers and constructors championship this year. This comes after Lewis Hamilton was denied the championship title by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen following a controversial last lap safety car. The Race Director’s instructions that allowed the lapped cars to overtake the Safety Car received a lot of criticism because initially the directives did not allow for such to happen. Verstappen had the upper hand after the Race Control instructions and went ahead to overtake Lewis Hamilton on the last lap winning the race and claiming the Drivers Championship title. After the race Mercedes protested the controversial move but was dismissed by the Race Stewards. The team recently announced they have no further intentions appealing the matter. This now means Verstappen can now receive the championship trophy this evening in the Gala event.

FIA to introduce power unit cost cap regulations

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

FIA has revealed its plans to introduce new power unit regulations for the 2026 Formula 1 Season. The new power unit regulations are aimed at introducing a budget cap on power unit development for manufacturers which will as well reduce the power unit cost for the teams come 2026. The budget cap regulations were introduced this year with the teams cutting down on their spending, however, the new rules exempted cost cap on power unit development. with the 2026 rules, it will be possible for F1 newcomers such as the rumoured Volkswagen Group(Audi and Porsche) to enter the sport at a competitive level. However, the FIA has not expounded on exemptions in regards to the new rules. The cars will also run on 100% sustainable fuel using the current 1.6 Litre turbo V6 engine. The power units will undergo a major change tripling power output from the current 120Kw to over 350Kw. With this, the manufacturers will do away with MGU-H which produces energy from heat and also save on the massive cost of the PU. The move will shift focus to electrical power. A detailed specification of the 2026 power unit rules and regulations is currently being drawn up for submission to the World Motor Sport Council early next year. FIA also confirmed refinements to the technical regulations for next year had been agreed.

FIA to conduct investigations on controversial Abu Dhabi finale

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago06 mins

FIA World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday released a statement intending to investigate the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale which was plagued by controversy amid receiving criticism. The Formula 1 season finale served as a championship title decider between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen who were currently level on points as they headed to the final race. With Hamilton taking the lead after a move on Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, the Brit dominated the race and even extended the time margin ahead of Verstappen. However, things turned around on the final lap after a Safety Car was deployed following Nicholas Latifi’s crash. While Lewis Hamilton decided to stay out after the caution was out, Verstappen was called in by Red Bull for fresh soft tyres. Coming out, Verstappen found himself behind five lapped cars from the race leader. F1 Race Director Michael Masi later cleared the five cars between the title rivals to unlap themselves, a move that was controversial and widely criticised. Masi’s call left the race being a final lap showdown, and Verstappen running on fresher tyres pulled off an overtake on Hamilton claiming the race win and championship title. Mercedes tried to protest the controversial final lap events but the Race Stewards dismissed the matter leaving the team on crossroads on whether to appeal the race outcome officially. The FIA, in a statement issued on Wednesday evening said they recognised the fall-out from events in Abu Dhabi and the matter is “tarnishing the image of the championship” they also added that they will study what happened “with all relevant parties”, as proposed by President Jean Todt who is about to exit his post following the maximum 12 years in office. The statement read: “On Sunday, another FIA F1 World Championship season of competitive excellence concluded, and the credit goes to the participating drivers and teams. The FIA congratulates all of them for their performances in this year. It was a hard fight, and the best competition was displayed at each grand prix.” “The world watched every race with great anticipation, knowing in the end there could only be one winner. In this respect, many praised Max Verstappen for his victory, and Lewis Hamilton for his remarkable performance and sportsmanship after the closing event of the season.” “The 2021 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has prompted a large number of reactions from the F1 community and from motorsport in general, as well as in the public. The FIA’s primary responsibility at any event is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the integrity of the sport.” “The circumstances surrounding the use of the Safety Car following the incident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and the related communications between the FIA Race Direction team and the Formula 1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans – an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the Championship and the due celebration of the first Drivers’ World Championship title won by Max Verstappen and the eighth consecutive Constructors’ World Championship title won by Mercedes.” “Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on lap 53 of the grand prix and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place.” “This matter will be discussed and addressed with all the teams and drivers to draw any lessons from this situation and clarity to be provided to the participants, media and fans about the current regulations to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the drivers and officials.”

Lewis Hamilton receives knighthood despite championship loss

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

Seven-time world F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton was knighted at Windsor Castle by the Prince of Wales on Wednesday. The 36-year old was awarded his knighthood and the title in the 2021 New Year Honours list when he equalled Michael Schumacher’s Formula One World Championship record. Seven-time champion! Sir Lewis Hamilton was accompanied by his mother, Carmen at the ceremony. He’s now the fourth Formula One driver to be knighted in history. This includes Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss, and Sir Jack Brabham. Despite Sir Lewis Hamilton missing the eighth title this season and finishing in P2 after a controversial call by Michael Masi. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the race claiming the championship title. However, Mercedes became eight-time consecutive constructor winners in Formula One despite losing the drivers championship win. On Thursday, Hamilton will attend the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Paris. The Brit will start fresh next season aiming to break the record with his new Mercedes teammate, George Russell in 2022.

Mercedes absent in FIA Prize Giving Gala pre-event

Kevin Peterson3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

Mercedes failed to attend FIA’s photo opportunities on Tuesday night ahead of the main prize giving event on Thursday. The FIA Prize Giving Gala is scheduled for Thursday evening in Paris with the event involving all FIA Championships. Both Mercedes Formula 1 and Formula E teams were missing in the Tuesday’s pre-ceremony which serves as a preparation for the main event on Thursday. This comes after Mercedes won the 2021 Formula E and Formula 1 Constructors Championship titles with Nyck de Vries winning the Formula E Drivers Championship title. However, Lewis Hamilton was beaten to his record eighth Formula 1 title by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale. Verstappen’s last lap overtake on Hamilton was controversial after the late Safety Car allowed lapped cars between the title rivals to overtake. Verstappen also had the upper hand after pitting for fresh soft tyres, the Dutchman later found himself just behind Hamilton and the last minute battle to the finish was on. Verstappen won the race claiming his maiden championship win. Mercedes lodged two protests to the Race Stewards after the race complaining about the control of the final Safety car. However, the stewards dismissed the protests with the team revealing they have no further intentions of taking the issue further.