F1's huge Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton Abu Dhabi GP controversy explained

Max Verstappen won the 2021 F1 world championship in the most dramatic fashion possible at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - passing title rival Lewis Hamilton for the race win and the title in a one-lap shootout after a safety car period at the end of the race. But the finish was marred in controversy with Mercedes lodging two appeals, both of which were rejected. So what went on?

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[_ilsegugio_]

I've never been an Hamilton enthusiast, but I have to say his behaviour once he got out of the car was top class. Champion DNA.

[TurtlelordGR]

People at The Race, please make an explanatory video about the different organisations in F1 (FOM, Liberty and the FIA), the roles, duties, responsibilities of stewards and the race director and where they belong to.
People really could use it.

[Hambone]

It really showed how long F1 has not been competitive that the FIA didn’t know how to handle two teams being that close to each other. Great season! Throw a couple more teams in the mix and their heads will explode

[ParkDaddy]

As Daniel Riccardo said yesterday over team radio after the glad I'm not a part of whatever that was, that was really fucked up" should explain to all these keyboard warriors exactly how to feel about the way this season ended. Such an absolute shame.

[sighko]

With all the hype around F1 this year, plenty of my friends started watching, or started watching more seriously. So what I'll remember this season for is the fact that it brought me closer to some of my friends.

[adr]

We can all agree that a lot of inconsistencies were exposed this year, hopefully changes are brought in for the new era.

[mholden]

Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia made me question Formula 1’s integrity in regards to how the stewards/Masi operate. No other sport, and certainly no other racing series I’m familiar with, gives penalty “offers” instead of saying “This is how it is”, and the possibility that lobbying/whining led to a change of mind and some lapped cars being waved by is appalling.

[camerondeans]

Absolutely disagree that's it's exciting! A manufactured scenario where all the other laps meant nothing. "Can I watch a winner-takes-all, one lap race where one competitor has been clearly and deliberately handicapped", said no one ever!

[crazychimp]

“They aren’t rules, they’re more like … guidelines “

[connor]

It’s such a shame that such an incredible season had to end like this. That being said, whoever you support, I think we can all agree the FIA has been a mess this season and NEEDS to be fixed. Seb for race director anyone?

[radu.muresan]

This is how i will remember this season: 2 great drivers putting up a massively close and beautiful battle this whole season but tainted and messed with by the incompetence of Masi and the FIA. it's a shame Max and Lewis had to go through this and it's a shame for the fans that understand the sport.

[SerjBassist]

I do feel like Masi never got out of the "substitute teacher" role. I would have understood that if it were his first season as F1, but this one is already his third. But then again, it's the first time since 2012 that the championship battle goes until the last race with two drivers from different teams, F1 was a different sport a decade ago.

[jd]

No matter who won that race, the FIA needs more specific rules especially in a sport where milliseconds, few centimeters, and little factors play BIG ROLES. The whole issue about overtaking/going out of the track needs to be resolved immediately.

[Tee]

Max fans 🤝 Lewis fans
Masi out

[senser]

I have to say I am very new to the F1 scene and have quickly fell in love with the sport. The one thing that is really frustrating though is how unclear some of the rules are and how inconsistent they are with upholding them. I mean I understand that the sport is incredibly complex and it’s not possible to make the right call 100% of the time (in instances like the first lap where it might be debatable if Max pushed Hamilton off for example), but with a virtual safety car… aren’t the rules clear on how it should be handled? Maybe it’s just me but regardless of which team you support it would be nice if they could read their own rule book.

[SupaRich]

For me this season will always be remembered as a great battle between 2 great driver but also one that was so messed up and tainted by massi and his poor decision making.
no matter what team you support, i think we can agree he influenced too many races with bad calls.

There shouldn't be able to contact the race director during the race and take any appeals to them after the race both Toto and Horner need to be put in their place and be told to wait.
The race control needs to be looked at desperately, and after this race ill never trust massi to do a good job again.

I know Christian Horner says it was the right call, but if Hamilton was 2nd on newer tyres he would be the same as toto and Mercedes and would launch a protest as well, I don't think anyone can deny that .


Any normal race and that would have ended with a safety car, it shouldn't be changed just because its the last race.

I just hope the Fia sort themselves out for next year so everyone know where they stand.
And who knows what will happen next year, we could see 2 different teams fighting for the front with the new cars.

[Scuffed_Andy]

Although I got the result I wanted I don't believe the end justifies the means. The finish of that race was not handled correctly. Entertainment shouldn't be considered more important than sportsmanship and fair racing.

[TRC_Dton]

As a neutral over both drivers and teams, there’s been too many issues this season with the FIA, Red Bull and Mercedes. Look at how many protests have been lobbied this season for “unfair advantages” just to “peg back the other team”. I’ve been watching this sport over a decade and I can not remember a time there have been so many rule changed and directives mid season. On top of that seeing how these broadcasts are influencing decisions on the track is out of order. Really it needs to be no team can talk to the race director while cars are on the circuit and then deal with everything afterwards, even if it means harsher penalties. It’s been a fun and dramatic season to watch, but it’s shown just how ridiculous the whole system is as well

[choph]

I found that the last minute change about the lapped cars ruined the race. It seemed like they were trying to forget about the regulations and just make sure the race ends was good for ratings

[stp]

Could have been solved with a Red flag like IndyCar has been doing more recently to avoid finishing races behind the pace (safety) car. And as been pointed out plenty of times, that means a free tire (tyre) change for all.