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And this.
Max was only ahead because he braked so late there was no way of getting around the corner without pushing the other guy off. In other incidents we've often seen drivers in similar positions get penalised for it, never mind penalising the one getting squeezed out. Had Max braked at an appropriate early point to get around the corner while leaving room he wouldn't have been ahead, and at the beginning of this season that was the rule ("All the time you have to leave a space", from Alonso about Rosberg iirc). This year they've let Max not leave a space when fighting Hamilton, until Brazil where they didn't even require him to stay on the track himself.
The FIA has consistently moved the goalposts for Max ahead of everyone because it's exciting to watch, but it's getting really tiring for the rest of us.
You only have to look at Max's move on Sainz after the pitstops to see that Max knows how to do it. Sainz wasn't even trying and he still left him room.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/video.2021-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-verstappen-picks-off-sainz-at-turn-6.1718949813873911804.html
A lot of Brundle's commentary this week felt like he was making an effort to be harsher on Lewis having read comments that he's biased towards the Brits, tbh. He was basically the only one in the entire Sky team defending Masi at the end as well.
Bandcamp
This really winds me up - it's like people going to the BBC Sport website and logging in just so they can say this very thing on the comments section. If you don't like it, fine, but others do, so save your energy and try and be positive somewhere rather than negative here. I despise football, but I don't waste my time and others by going to those threads and saying such things.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10305759/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Mercedes-claim-Court-Arbitration-Sport.html
Mercedes might get some redress, financially or otherwise but the reputation of the sport is now well dodgy, in my humble opinion, more so than it ever has been before - and it's had some pretty dodgy moments.
I think it would be wrong for the WDC to change because of legal action, as far as I care, that ship has sailed, Max is now world champion and that should stand, although it will always do so in the same way Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France wins always had a question mark over them (until Oprah).
Hopefully F1 will recover from this and hopefully it will be the catalyst for change at the top and in the FIA that's desperately needed, because they are out of touch with the sport and with the fans.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
Lewis has had the title decided for him outside his control, it's shite but perhaps we need to move on like you say. I'll always consider Max's title as a question mark which is all we can do
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
I do wonder how mercedes' board must feel, to see a championship decided by a very questionable rule override...
On the other hand, this has put F1 front and center in world media. It sets up the next season very well with a narrative and of course a lot of people do think mercedes are sore losers.
I am not sure any one will care about the asterisk even by next season. Max himself did not cheat and there is no suspicion of personal cheating in the way Armstrong did. It's just a shit way to win.
But there was always a question mark over his wins, even on some official lists there was an asterisk against his name which required a footnote.
I think the same will go down in the history books for MV's first title, there will always be that asterisk and the footnote, not that he cheated, but that circumstances surrounding the win were not normal.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
What are Mercedes actually shouting about as they have still won the Constructor Championship though? Which in turn generates a shitload of cash into Mercedes..
The Driver World Championship is Lewis's bag (yes, OK he is in a Merc and I get that) and he has apparently asked MB to stop pushing, I can see MB's driver support and all that but does Lewis vs Max actually winning the Championship actually generate extra income into Merc as a constructor?
What would have happened if another driver had won that race - MB would still have won the Constructors title and MV woudl have been champion on race wins - would they still have moaned.
As an FYI, I'm no Max or Lewis fan - there are other drivers in those teams that excite me more....
The stewards/race director made a call that ensured Max would be champion, that's the part that is bothering the sports fans. We have discussed this above, and thats the general consensus. It's not about Max Vs Lewis it's about the FIA and the race director effectively deciding who wins.
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
I doubt the FIA will change the result - Mercedes may win a moral victory and a tightening of the rules for next year to avoid this happening again.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
Anyway, I agree that the WDC shouldn't be given to Lewis. It's far too late for that and I don't think he wants this one now.
What is good is the Jean Todt is stepping down so the new guy coming in (identity tbc later this week) has a great opportunity to bring in sensible changes quickly while distancing himself from this shitshow because it wasn't under his leadership and while they technically didn't breach the regs (sort of, maybe...) it was certainly confusing and something they will take steps to avoid happening in future.
If it were me, I'd keep Masi in charge but insist that he gets a team with very clear lines or reporting and responsbility. During a any on-track session he should be leaning on their guidance 99%. I'm not clear on whether he already has a team but either way it's clear the current setup isn't quite fit for purpose.
What is so frustrating is they actually had time during the VSC (at least a minute - not just a few seconds) to make the decision whether to have a full SC or a red flag. Clearly Merc looked at this and decided to plump for track position because under a red flag they'd get new tyres anyway, and under a full SC pitting would cost them track position and be a heavy risk of finishing under the SC. Likewise RB realised they were guaranteed to be right behind Lewis on fresh softs however it played out.
If Masi had been more aware of the timing issue I'm quite sure he'd have thrown a red flag instead - he's probably wishing he'd done exactly that. It would have still been harsh on Lewis but unquestionably also been equitable treatment of the drivers and a hell of a story for the last 5 lap sprint to the finish. The impression is that he just isn't as talented at this stuff as the top guys in the top teams, so he needs help.
Apparently, Masi and the stewards agreed before the race even started that there wouldn't be a red flag.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!