Back to the blood-curdling final of the 2021 F1 battle: Lewis Hamilton seemed on his way to an 8th world title in Abu Dhabi, until the safety car had to go out. Max Verstappen was able to get fresh tires and overtake his British rival on the final lap.
At Mercedes race director Michael Masi was the bitten dog. He had again given the green light to race, while only the doubled drivers between Hamilton and Verstappen had made way. The doubles between Verstappen and number 3 Sainz remained in place.
The stewards later admitted that Rule 48.12 of the rules had not been fully followed, but the rules were also unclear. The rulebook talks about “double riders” (in English: “any riders”).
That can be interpreted in several ways, the FIA also realized, so it is now explicitly stated in the regulations that “all double drivers” must rejoin the back before racing can take place.
The rule change comes too late for Michael Masi. The race director was pushed aside – under pressure from Mercedes.
