© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz chimes in with his thoughts on the controversial end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he was prevented from fighting for his “first victory”.
In the final moments of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, race director Michael Masi chose to ignore the rules and protocols of the Safety Car in order to allow for one more lap of racing.
The most problematic thing is that he chose to follow part of the regulations by allowing the lapped cars to un-lap themselves before the restart, but he only allowed those behind Hamilton and Verstappen to do so.
Not only did Masi ignore that after the cars have un-lapped themselves, the Safety Car had to stay on the track for another lap, which means the race would have ended under the SC, but he also didn’t give a fair chance to all drivers.
This meant that Carlos Sainz, who was in third place at the time, was unable to fight for the win, because the lapped cars in-between him and Verstappen were required to remain where they were.
Sainz voiced his displeasure with what happened immediately in the race, and now he further clarifies his opinion.
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“I would have liked to be behind [Hamilton and Verstappen], but with the lapped cars in front of me I could not fight for my first victory, especially if they collided,” Sainz told Marca.
“For Hamilton it would have been fairer if there was a red flag. Perhaps then when you do the finale they would be more equal.”
Sainz goes on to say that it is necessary to analyse what happened, because the rules need to be consistent.
“It is necessary to analyse what happened, because I think it was a bit unfortunate to be in that position.
“Sometimes the consistency in the application of the regulations has been controversial and you have to review it, although everyone is never going to be happy.
“But I think some should be clarified and make the sport more understandable and consistent,” the Spanish driver concluded.
