The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: A Race of Controversy and Complexities

The 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a race that will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons. A late safety car intervention and a controversial decision by the race director resulted in Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to win the race and the championship. The decision has been widely criticized, with many calling for a change in the rules.

The Controversial Decision

The safety car was deployed with just a few laps remaining in the race, after Nicholas Latifi crashed his Williams. The race director, Michael Masi, initially ruled that lapped cars would not be allowed to overtake the safety car, but then changed his mind and allowed the five lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to pass. This gave Verstappen a clear run at Hamilton, and he was able to overtake him on the final lap to win the race and the championship.

The Rulebook

The rulebook is clear that lapped cars should not be allowed to overtake the safety car unless there is a “force majeure” situation. However, Masi argued that there was a “force majeure” situation because the race could not have finished under the safety car due to the lack of time remaining. This decision has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it was a violation of the rules and that it cost Hamilton the race.

The FIA’s Response

The FIA has since launched an investigation into the decision-making process that led to Verstappen’s victory. The investigation is ongoing, but the FIA has already admitted that mistakes were made. The FIA has also announced that it will be reviewing the safety car regulations for the 2023 season.

The Impact on the Sport

The decision has had a major impact on the sport of Formula 1. Many fans have lost faith in the sport, and there have been calls for Masi to be removed as race director. The decision has also raised questions about the future of the sport, and whether it is possible to have fair and impartial racing under the current rules.

Conclusion

The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a race that will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons. The controversial decision by the race director has raised serious questions about the future of the sport. The FIA is currently investigating the decision-making process that led to Verstappen’s victory, and it is hoped that the investigation will lead to changes that will prevent similar controversies from happening in the future.