Mercedes wants “the rules applied in the same way each time”

© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Amid comparisons between the 2022 Italian Grand Prix and 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Mercedes says they “want to see the rules applied in the same way each time”.

The Italian Grand Prix finished behind the Safety Car, after the FIA followed full safety car protocols.

This was the exact opposite of happened at the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. There race director Michael Masi broke several rules to allow for one final lap of racing, which in turn unjustly prevented Lewis Hamilton from winning his eighth world title.

In Mercedes’ Italian GP debrief, Technical Director Mike Elliott said the team just wants the FIA to be consistent when applying the rules.

“From a team’s point of view, what we really want is consistency,” the Briton said.

“We want to see the rules applied in the same way each time, so everybody knows what’s going to happen.


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“I think once you say that, you’ve got a choice, do you have a red flag and a restart of the race, and three laps of racing, or do you want the driver that’s probably winning on merit, who’s been in that position over 50 laps of the race, to go on and win the race.

“They’re difficult calls.”

However, in following the rules as they were written, Elliott said he believes the right call was made.

“I think in the way the race ended, actually the right driver won. The fact that that happened under a safety car – that’s just what happens in a race.

“And it’s something we just have to accept,” Elliott concluded.

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