The 2021 Formula 1 season has come to an end in controversial fashion. Max Verstappen has been crowned 2021 Champion, but should he have been?
Entering the last ten laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit, Lewis Hamilton had done all he needed to do to take the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The Mercedes AMG F1 team had played the strategy perfectly, and Hamilton had a healthy gap between himself and Max Verstappen. What’s more, he had preserved his tyres perfectly over the distance of his race stints, whilst Verstappen had not, it was all coming up aces for Hamilton.
Then, the worst happened. Nicholas Latifi lost control and went into the wall, retiring his car on the edge of the track. This brought out a safety car that allowed Verstappen a pit stop and fresh rubber on his car. Race control then let only some lapped cars unlap themselves to set up a two lap sprint to the end of the race. Once the green flag was waved, the sprint was underway. With fresh rubber, Verstappen was at a huge advantage to Hamilton, and passed him to take the race win and the 2021 FIA World Drivers’ Championship.
Opinions vary hugely on whether this was the correct conclusion to the championship. I would argue that it wasn’t, and have some observations as to what went wrong:
Firstly, race direct Michael Masi had no business only letting some lapped cars pass in order to set up a straight race in between the rivals. The rules very clearly state that in this instance, you either let them all through, or none through. Why did this happen? Pressure… He was being badgered by Jonathan Wheatley, the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Sporting Director. Formula 1 have been playing some outrageous messages between him and race control over the year, where he pushes and bullies to get his way. Why this is allowed to go on is beyond me. Teams are meant to respect the chain of command of the organisation.
I feel it almost unfair that people blame Masi for this. Whilst some will claim weakness in leadership, I think we have all been witnessing what in any other workplace would be bullying. It’s 2021. Archaic organisations such as the FIA and Formula 1 Management should be acting upon this. Don’t be surprised if Masi ends up the scapegoat.
I also have to question Formula 1 Management’s influence here. Formula 1 is gaining many more fans, with marketing and race planning being aimed towards a young Netflix market. The first season of “Drive to Survive” was insightful and entertaining. However since then, each season becomes more of a soap opera. They would argue that people are bored with Hamilton winning, or they need more drama and controversy – and let’s face it – this is a marketers dream.
The FIA will no doubt investigate these events. The long term fans feel betrayed, not to mention the Hamilton fans. I don’t honestly believe that this will effect Max Verstappen’s celebrations. He drove a blinding season, and is both too mentally strong and bull-headed to see it any other way.
And hey, we have something new to look forward to in the next season of Drive to Survive…
