Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will have to wait until March 18, two days before the start of the 2022 season, to discover the results of the FIA’s investigation into last year’s Abu Dhabi title-determining Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen beat Hamilton to the title in a controversial circumstance on December 12, with FIA race director Michael Masi incorrectly applying F1 rules to force a warm-up in the final lap of the race.
That decision helped Verstappen catch up and overtake Hamilton to win the world championship for the first time.
Hamilton’s future in F1 is uncertain. According to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, Hamilton is “disillusioned” with F1 as a result of that event.
It is understood that the FIA’s findings will decide whether he continues racing or retires from F1 for reasons.
The FIA outlined the next steps of that investigation on Thursday, including speaking with Hamilton and 19 other F1 drivers.
A statement said: “” Following the decision of the World Motor Sports Council in Paris on December 15, 2021, the FIA administration, under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, began a detailed analysis. events of the last Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand. Basic.
“The FIA president kicks off a consultation with all F1 teams on a variety of issues including this
“On January 19, an item on the Sports Advisory Committee’s agenda will be dedicated to the use of Safe Vehicles.
“The next stage will be a general discussion with all F1 drivers.
“The results of the detailed analysis will be presented to the F1 Committee in February and the final decision will be announced at the World Motor Sports Council in Bahrain on March 18.
“FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has asked the recently appointed Sports Secretary General and Director of Singles Peter Bayer for proposals to review and optimize the organization of the FIA F1 structure for the 2022 season.”
It is understood Mercedes and Hamilton want the FIA to take significant action, including removing Masi from his role as race director. A BBC report this week said Mercedes is also pushing the FIA to remove Nikolas Tombazis, the agency’s head of single-seater matters.
