Thursday, December 16, 2021
Mercedes stops F1 protest
“Hamilton and Wolff have prevailed”
The announced appointment does not come after a detailed examination, the result of the Formula 1 World Championship is final and Max Verstappen remains the new title holder. ntv reporter Felix Görner sees this as a success for Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton.
The feeling of injustice remains, but for the well-being of Formula 1, Mercedes waives a legal aftermath of the most exciting season in history. After the world championship final in Abu Dhabi, which is worth discussing, the works team will not appeal. Max Verstappen’s first world championship title is no longer in danger. This Thursday, the Dutchman will be able to receive his World Cup trophy at the FIA gala in Paris – in the absence of his World Cup rival Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff. The duo decided against participating in the pompous event of the world association, although this is actually prescribed in the sporting regulations.
“Neither of us will come,” said Wolff, “I’m not coming because I’m loyal to Lewis and because of my own integrity.” Instead, Chief Technician James Allison receives the trophy for the Constructors’ Championship. How deep the sting still sits on the Silver Arrows had already become clear in a press release. Mercedes announced that they left Abu Dhabi in “disbelief”. Losing races is part of the sport, “but it’s different when you lose faith in racing.”
ntv reporter Felix Görner considers the renouncement of an appointment to be “a wise, a correct, a sensible decision”. For him it would not have been “in the spirit of the sport” to negotiate the world championship retrospectively “at the green table”. Public pressure may also have played a role, in the past few days the number of those who recommended Mercedes to finally acknowledge the defeat has grown significantly. “Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton prevailed,” says Görner, in particular “Hamilton, who just didn’t want you to go to the sports jurisdiction again”.
Protest in the interests of fairness
Red Bull driver Verstappen only came close to record world champion Hamilton in the Mercedes last Sunday through a late safety car phase. Then race director Michael Masi only allowed the lapped cars placed between the two pilots to take their actual position in the field, so that the way was free for Verstappen to attack.
In addition, the use of the security vehicle ended earlier than stipulated in the regulations: Verstappen still had one lap time for the attack on fresh tires, passed by and thus crowned himself world champion. Mercedes protested against violations of the sporting regulations, both objections were rejected by the race stewards on race Sunday.
“We protested because the rules were interpreted in a new way so that the outcome of the race was influenced,” said Mercedes: “Lewis was on course for the title.” They protested in the interest of sporting fairness. The works team then formally stated its intention to appeal again – but will no longer make use of this right.
The damage to Formula 1 remains
The day before, the World Automobile Federation FIA announced an investigation into the events. The teams and the Formula 1 leadership are to be involved in the FIA analysis, “in order to learn from this situation,” as it was said. In addition, participants, the media and fans should be clear about the current regulations. “Misunderstandings” also contributed to the displeasure.
This step is also inevitable for ntv reporter Görner: “It is important that you decide together with the FIA for next year: How exactly is the safety car to be defined? Under what conditions can a race be reopened?” These questions had already arisen during the race in Abu Dhabi, when the race management initially determined that the lapped cars would not be allowed to drive up, which would have made the final duel between Hamilton and Verstappen impossible. In addition, according to the written rules, the safety car should have driven one lap longer, but then the Grand Prix would have ended without clearance.
Mercedes congratulated Max Verstappen and Red Bull: “We would like to express our sincere respect for your successes this year. You made this season an absolutely epic Formula 1 title fight,” said a statement: “Max , We congratulate you and your entire team. We look forward to continuing our competition in the next season. ”
However, Wolff also emphasized that Formula 1 is “the most important unimportance in the world. But the world has marched on. It is not world politics. It is sport, it is our little microcosm,” said the 49-year-old, who for the first time since race day spoke. However, damage to Formula 1 remains. At the end of what is arguably the best season in history, there are too many losers. At least Mercedes has prevented worse by renouncing an appointment.