© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Forbes’ senior contributor Maury Brown says the FIA’s actions in Abu Dhabi created two things: “a final lap for the ages” and “a championship in question”.
Forbes’ senior contributor Maury Brown has been very vocal about the injustice suffered by Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In a new article he gave a rundown of what happened in the race.
“For even the fringe fan, it’s hard not to know how the 2021 F1 season ended in Abu Dhabi,” wrote Brown.
“Nicholas Latifi crashed with five laps remaining, bringing out the safety car. Initially, F1 race director Michael Masi said that no lapped cars would be allowed to pass the safety car under yellow, only to double back and bend the rules to allow just the cars in-between Hamilton and Max Verstappen to do so.
“The actions set up a one-lap race between the two drivers tied for first in the last race of the season. With Verstappen on fresher tires, he was able to pass Hamilton for the win and the championship.
“The FIA examined the decision and made no adjustments.
“The actions by the FIA created two things: a final lap for the ages. A championship in question. You can’t blame Verstappen for winning.
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“You can’t help but know that Hamilton would have won the race if the stack of cars in-between he and Verstappen hadn’t been allowed to pass the safety car.”
Somewhat acknowledging the importance Formula 1 has been putting on drama to increase its viewership, Brown wrote that Lewis’ return in 2021 would be a hit for Netflix.
“Hamilton is tied with Michael Schumacher with seven F1 championships – the most all-time. The Abu Dhabi win would have cemented his place as the greatest, ever.
“All of this leads to the 2022 season. The consequences of the FIA ruling are the stuff practically made for Netflix’s Drive To Survive.
“Hamilton’s return would boost the storyline of ‘revenging his undue loss’ at Abu Dhabi.”
