[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Interesting

Should say 'Hard Cheese'

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Onesie

No, because VER only won because he won points in Spa. Remove those and see what happens. I'm not sure you're understanding what you're saying, again…

Get over it.

A couple of laps before the end of the Abu Dhabi race the Racing Gods in F1 Heaven were clearing the season 2021 table, when suddenly:

• "Oh wait a sec, this looks like the bill for the Silverstone crash. Lemme see ...yadda-yadda... already a 10-second time penalty served ...here it is: balance still due and Hamilton's luck-o-meter has been fully depleted."
• "What about bringing in Latifi and go for a final lap wheel-to-wheel showdown ?"
• "OK, let's do that."

[M5Rick]

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Onesie

Wish I understood what you posted here to reply.

Karma.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

From the land of the rising (HONDA) sun ...

[3798j]

From Motorsport.com

"F1 heads in to a winter now facing the prospect of an Appeal Court hearing, and, on what should have been grand prix racing's greatest day, accusations from the public that the sport is rigged.

There is also an element that it is deeply unfair on Verstappen too that, after a season where he driven brilliantly and ended as a worthy champion, that there will forever be a cloud over the circumstances that helped him win in Abu Dhabi.

It said much that, as he took in the bizarre ending to the race on Sunday, Hamilton had his own theories about what had played out.

Speaking on team radio just a few corners from the chequered flag, with a message that was not broadcast by F1 on its international feed, Hamilton said: "This race has been manipulated, man."

Judging by the response of many fans after Sunday night's events, he is far from alone in that view."

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by 3798j

From Motorsport.com

"F1 heads in to a winter now facing the prospect of an Appeal Court hearing, and, on what should have been grand prix racing's greatest day, accusations from the public that the sport is rigged.

There is also an element that it is deeply unfair on Verstappen too that, after a season where he driven brilliantly and ended as a worthy champion, that there will forever be a cloud over the circumstances that helped him win in Abu Dhabi.

It said much that, as he took in the bizarre ending to the race on Sunday, Hamilton had his own theories about what had played out.

Speaking on team radio just a few corners from the chequered flag, with a message that was not broadcast by F1 on its international feed, Hamilton said: "This race has been manipulated, man."

Judging by the response of many fans after Sunday night's events, he is far from alone in that view."

I'm sure that's exactly what happened:
- With 5 laps remaining, Michael Masi pushed the 'Spin Latifi' button, and the rest is history....

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

From the land of the rising (HONDA) sun ...

Honda and Max. The Power of Dreams.

[3798j]

Originally Posted by dmatre

I'm sure that's exactly what happened:
- With 5 laps remaining, Michael Masi pushed the 'Spin Latifi' button, and the rest is history....

Nope...this happened.

Things deviated from the norm when Masi informed teams: "Lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake."

"That decision meant that, if the race restarted, then Max Verstappen on his fresh soft tyres would need to clear five backmarkers before he could have a shot at snatching the lead, and with it the title, from Lewis Hamilton.

But shortly after a delayed radio message was played from Red Bull boss Christian Horner to Masi, urging him to clear the backmarkers, convention was again broken as on the penultimate lap only a select few cars were told to unlap themselve.

Then, to further compound the confusion, Masi elected to restart the race at the end of that same lap, and not at the end of the following lap as the sporting regulations dictate.

With Verstappen on fresh softs, and Hamilton on well-used hards, it was obvious which man held the clear advantage once battle resumed.

The U-turn on the backmarkers being allowed to unlap themselves, the decision to then only let a few move forward, and then the rushed restart, all came together to leave F1, the FIA and Masi facing a barrage of criticism over what happened.

Ultimately, the circumstances meant Masi played God in being the man who decided which way the championship went, as it depended entirely on that restart call."

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by 3798j

From Motorsport.com

"F1 heads in to a winter now facing the prospect of an Appeal Court hearing, and, on what should have been grand prix racing's greatest day, accusations from the public that the sport is rigged.

There is also an element that it is deeply unfair on Verstappen too that, after a season where he driven brilliantly and ended as a worthy champion, that there will forever be a cloud over the circumstances that helped him win in Abu Dhabi.

It said much that, as he took in the bizarre ending to the race on Sunday, Hamilton had his own theories about what had played out.

Speaking on team radio just a few corners from the chequered flag, with a message that was not broadcast by F1 on its international feed, Hamilton said: "This race has been manipulated, man."

Judging by the response of many fans after Sunday night's events, he is far from alone in that view."

Go to #909 post.

[TheBingoBalls]

Mercedes can do all they want, it is their right, but again, it's not going to change anything - there is no precedent and it's not a sure fire appeal.

What this should do is shine more light on the rules and regulations and revisit some of the shitty decisions that had occur this year. Next year I want to see races with the new cars and not add the clusterfk from this year to overshadow the engineering.

[paulo_f80m3]

Anyone notice that the fireworks didn't go off at the start/finish line at the end of the race like they usually did in previous years?

[forza1976]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

From the land of the rising (HONDA) sun ...

Pretty much exactly what I was doing, except mine was in English

Go Max!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by forza1976

Pretty much exactly what I was doing, except mine was in English

Go Max!

Mate . I was worse in a combination of Flemish and English...

#UnLeashTheLion

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by paulo_f80m3

Anyone notice that the fireworks didn't go off at the start/finish line at the end of the race like they usually did in previous years?

Positive . They were +/- 20-30 sec. too late ..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Karma.

"Final Destination"

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Mercedes can do all they want, it is their right, but again, it's not going to change anything - there is no precedent and it's not a sure fire appeal.

What this should do is shine more light on the rules and regulations and revisit some of the shitty decisions that had occur this year. Next year I want to see races with the new cars and not add the clusterfk from this year to overshadow the engineering.

Now I think about it, I do hope Mercedes lodge a protest and get Masi fired. Replace with someone with a backbone, and workable like Charlie Whiting.

This season especially the last two races just shows how Masi indecision, flip-flopping decisions, and not strictly sticking to the rules makes him prone to lobbying from the two team principals. And of course the teams are taking advantage of it.

And his race control technique is just appalling.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by paulo_f80m3

Anyone notice that the fireworks didn't go off at the start/finish line at the end of the race like they usually did in previous years?

Economising

[forza1976]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Mate . I was worse in a combination of Flemish and English...

#UnLeashTheLion

I was literally shaking, haven't felt that for F1 since MSC and his various championships. What a day!

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

I'd like to know. Soon as the yellow came out they had plenty of time to discuss and prep for a pit stop. That was a buck stops here level decision if there ever was one.

Curious if he would fall on the sword of shift blame to a underlying.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Curious if he would fall on the sword of shift blame to a underlying.

No need. No one is even asking about, let alone challenging their strategy. Because Masi is the devil.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

No need. No one is even asking about, let alone challenging their strategy. Because Masi is the devil.

The Fall Guy.

A red flag would have been appropriate. Masi told drivers before the race a shunt in Latifi Corner would not cause a red flag, rather a safety car.

Maybe hubris got the best of him.