In the coming days, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will present the regulator’s response to the events of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after promising “structural changes” and “plans”. action” in a statement Monday.
Formula One team bosses met Ben Sulayem in London on Monday to discuss the setback from the race, with issues raised during that meeting to be incorporated into the FIA’s final response. .
The final lap of the Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen crowned champion by Lewis Hamilton, was one of the most controversial laps in the sport’s history after FIA race director Michael Masi failed to act. correctly followed the safe car restart procedure, thereby giving Verstappen a significant advantage into the final round.
In December last year, the FIA promised to provide a “detailed analysis and clarification exercise” on the safety car deadline after admitting backlash from fans and media had tarnished the image. Photo of the championship.
The investigation didn’t begin in earnest until January of this year, with the FIA planning to consult teams and drivers about future changes.
Although few details emerged from Monday’s meeting, the FIA released a statement saying its recommendations from the investigation would be made public soon.
“The FIA President led detailed discussions about the FIA Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi in 2021,” the statement said.
“Response from the Committee on the issues raised will be incorporated into the President’s analysis, and he will publicly present news on structural changes and a plan of action in the coming days.”
Issues surrounding the outcome of the inquest were raised last month when sources close to Lewis Hamilton suggested he was not ready for another season in F1 until he had seen the results. of the investigation.
Although Hamilton has yet to confirm whether he will continue in F1 this year, in recent weeks he has returned to social media after a two-month break, posting videos of himself in training and visiting his Mercedes team to prepare for the new season.
One of the key questions arising from the investigation is whether Masi will continue to serve as race director this year. He joined the role at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix following the sudden death of former race director Charlie Whiting.
In an interview with Voralberger Nachrichten last month, Peter Bayer, the FIA’s director of singers who is leading the FIA’s investigation into events in Abu Dhabi, suggested that the role of race director could be split. into various jobs, with the potential for Masi to be replaced.
Bayer said in the interview: “Michael has done an excellent job in many ways. “We certainly don’t want to lose him.
“We told him that, but there is also the possibility of a new race director.
“I can only make recommendations to the World Council, and they will certainly include Michael.”
After the FIA president announces the action plan, it will be endorsed by the FIA World Motor Sports Council before the opening round of the F1 season on March 20 in Bahrain.
