FIA Releases Long Awaited Report on fateful F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The FIA have released their report on the events that transpired in Abu Dhabi in the final moments of the F1 World Championship deciding race. The report released on the 19th of March is 7 pages long and details all events from the moment of Latifi's crash on lap 53 through to the decision of Mercedes' appeals post race. The main reason for this report was to deeply analyse the events, consequences and determine key changes that need to be made going into the 2022 season. The key findings detailed in the report are as below:

• Race Director

  • The role of Race Director has accumulated a multitude of roles and responsibilities which has added additional pressure to the role.

  • Race Director responsibilities should be divided and distributed appropriately to other people.

• Radio Communications

  • Radio communications were a key issue, and note that only part of the exchanges were made public. (They have included transcripts here of the radio communications between Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, Team Manager Jonathan Wheatley & Race Director Michael Masi, and also Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff to Race Director Michael Masi - RD reply not shown)

  • Question on the purpose and appropriateness of direct radio communications between teams and the RaceDirector being "broadcasted or even permitted at all."

    • "the respective communications…during the final laps of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP had a negative impact on the smooth running of the final laps because they were distracting…"

  • These [radio] communications were not necessary or helpful in the running of the race. The radio communications which took place in the final laps added extra pressure on the Race Director at a critical time and sought to influence the decisions being made.

• Safety Car Unlapping Procedure

  • Acknowledged that there could be different interpretations of the rules set out in the F1 Sporting Regulations in particular Article 48.12 and/or Article 48.13 which contributed to the confusion surrounding the safety car unlapping procedure.

  • The F1 Sporting Regulations "would benefit from clarification."

  • Previous discussions with F1 teams and drivers confirmed that finishing a race under green flag racing conditions is preferred, as long as it is safe to do so. This conclusion was likely taken into consideration in the decision making process.

  • Confirmed rule change in the case of unlapping cars to clarify that "all" not "any" cars must unlap themselves.

  • Automating the communication of the cars that must unlap themselves via a software that has been developed for use in the 2022 season.

    • Investigation into whether a "virtual unlapping" procedure could bring advantages and/or simplification.

The recommended changes to be implemented based on the key findings as outlined by the FIA:

• Virtual Race Control Room to be created to help apply the Sporting Regulations via real time connection to the Race Director.

  • Like that of the video referee used in ball sports (VAR - Football, The Bunker - NRL, etc.)

• Safety car unlapping procedure to be reassessed prior to the start of the 2022 season (I am looking into whether this has been done yet, as it is race day for round one of the 2022 season)

• Direct radio communications during the race to be removed from all live broadcasts. Teams will still be able to ask questions to the Race Director, in line with a new well-defined & non-intrusive process.

• New race management team is already in place (from Barcelona test) with alternating Race Directors. A new F1 Sporting Director will also be appointed, along with additional senior legal counsel to be recruited.

  • Niels Wittich - Race Director

  • Eduardo Freitas - Race Director

  • Herbie Blash - Senior Advisor

Some of the changes recommended have already been implemented by Formula 1, and some that we will have to wait to see how they work during a race weekend. Hopefully, this report puts people's mind at ease but I suspect many will still be unhappy as they believe Lewis was robbed of his 8th World Title. Unfortunately, what happened can not and will not be changed as stated in this report "The results of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the FIA Formula One World Championship are valid, final and cannot now be changed." Formula 1 now has to move forward into the new season and with these changes, hopefully, regain the trust of drivers, teams and fans, that was lost in those final laps. The inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain is tonight! The race begins at 1:55am AEDT (12:55am AEST) on Fox Sports 6 HD (Ch. 506) You can read the full report here: https://www.fia.com/2021-f1-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-report-world-motor-sport-council-19-march-2022

Cover picture is from Formula1.com