Formula 1

Having considered the various statements made by the parties the Stewards determine the following:
That Article 15.3 allows the Race Director to control the use of the safety car, which in our determination includes its deployment and withdrawal.
That although Article 48.12 may not have been applied fully, in relation to the safety car returning to the pits at the end of the following lap, Article 48.13 overrides that and once the message “Safety Car in this lap” has been displayed, it is mandatory to withdraw the safety car at the end of that lap.
That notwithstanding Mercedes’ request that the Stewards remediate the matter by amending the classification to reflect the positions at the end of the penultimate lap, this is a step that the Stewards believe is effectively shortening the race retrospectively, and hence not appropriate.



The last point I absolutely agree with. Going back a lap just couldn't work. It would have been making up a rule to benefit lewis just as much as breaking a rule that benefited max.

The rest of it I just can't agree with. One rule can't supercede another rule without it being clear to everyone when they sign up which rule takes precedence.

However as I've said before I just can't see a way to undo it or whatever that is legal. I can see mercedes taking it to court and being given a lot of money in compensation or something but can't see the result changing.

 

I don’t think Mercedes’ will take it to court, I don’t think Hamilton will want them to.

 

If I were Max, I wouldn’t want to win via a controversial decision. If I were Lewis, I wouldn’t want it by appeal or legal battle. Shambles.

 

Agree with you there. Regardless of anything else or who won or didn't win or what happens next the WDC for this season is forever tainted and that's not fair to Max, nor would it be fair to Lewis if an appeal had won or a further appeal does win. The team principles and teams don't care in the same way but the 20 or so drivers out there on the track are racers. They want to win on the track.

 

If it goes to court or not, and whatever the result of it, the championship will be tainted.

I don't think Verstappen will be considered a true champion until he wins another(in a less wanky way), except in Holland.

 

Maybe, might take some overturning now though may be looking at compensation.

 

Hamilton won't have much input, he's only a driver, Mercedes are a major corporation set to lose earnings ( their lawyers will argue) we're talking hundreds of millions here.

 

I was speaking morally. A rare emotion, I know..

 

F1 lost many fans today, including me. What a joke of a set up, Max isn't the world champion on merit. Hope he enjoys the next 12 months of being a fraud. Fingers crossed he learns how to drive safely which I doubt. If he has to learn that lesson by breaking a few bones and wrecking a car so be it.

 

I'm not sure the actual prizemoney for the drivers championship is that much. The big money for the team is the constructor's title.

Although I'm sure having the current WDC in the team is worth a few bob in sponsorship terms.

 

I doubt the prize money would be the issue...loss of prestige, sales etc is more likely

 

Joint World Champion ??

 

Jesus Christ that's a pathetic post. Give your head a shake. Your hatred is coming through strong here

 

Either way Mercedes lose money, though I'll be interested to see what reaction Red Bull and Verstappen will get next year on certain circuits.

 

He's been dangerous all year, just stating a point. I hate dangerous drivers, just like I hate all dangerous sports people. There's having an edge as some folk call it. Then there's being reckless and dangerous, something he's shown for years now. Karma o'clock can't be that far away.

 

A fraud? Seriously? I think most people agree that both drivers would have been worthy champions. Yes he got lucky today, but a fraud? No way.

 

F1 is a bent sport no further evidence than todays fiasco is needed as proof of that.