Formula 1: Hans-Joachim Stuck in an exclusive interview about the World Cup final between Verstappen and Hamilton in Abu Dhabi

The grand finale of Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi will go down as the most spectacular in the 71-year history of the racing series.

Not only did title rivals Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) start the last race of the season with equal points, the duel was not decided until the last lap of the year.

Mr. Stuck, how do you assess the back and forth in the final phase of the FIA’s decision not to let the drivers overtaken and then let them overtake?

Hans-Joachim Stuck: It must be clearly stated that there is a need for action in the ranks of the FIA. This mess is not worthy of a world championship fight in Formula 1. The fact that Mr. Masi (Michael Masi, Race Director of Formula 1; editor’s note) allows the lapped cars to drive up on the last lap is nice for the fans and for Max Verstappen, who was given another chance. But the regulations state that lapped cars must first reconnect to the rear before they can continue. These are all decisions that nobody can understand anymore, for me there is no stringency in them. It was an exciting final that Verstappen deserved to win. He is the best driver and hits the brakes ultra late. However, it could have turned out differently.

What is the reason for this in your opinion?

Piece: Mr. Masi just doesn’t have the experience Charlie Whiting (former Formula 1 racing director, editor’s note) had. But as the FIA, I have to put someone who knows their way around and who makes the right decisions.

Do you think Masi’s decision was made because he didn’t want this mad season to end behind the safety car?

Piece: That would be all well and good – but then he should have done it right. Verstappen owes the title to Masi. Without the race director’s decision, he would never have been able to drive past Hamilton. You have to see it that way. Still, it was good to open the race again – only that should have happened earlier. Just like the last race in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi has made ad hoc decisions that are just insane. The rule interpretation is a joke. That will not do. You have to make sure that there are reasonable announcements that comply with the rules and are then used exactly as they are.

The protest from Mercedes is understandable and justified. But does he have a chance of success?

Piece: If I’d know that. I hope not, because in the end the two best drivers fought against each other. Verstappen just had the fresher tires, which Red Bull did well tactically. For me the better won. I do not hope that a decision at the Green Table will change anything again. I wouldn’t think that’s fair.

So Max Verstappen is the deserved world champion for you?

Piece: Definitely – he was the best driver of the season. I’ve studied that carefully. Apart from the many almost extraterrestrial braking maneuvers that Max has put there, he is the most consistent pilot for me at the moment. He just makes more use of the car than a Hamilton does. Verstappen is the younger one and, for me, also the snappier one.

Does it look similar to the field of drivers or is he the one who only won the title because the regulations were changed in his favor on the last lap?

Piece: No, no, no – I don’t think so. You also saw how the drivers came to him, how they congratulated him. This discussion will not arise. That there might be someone who says: ‘He got that as a gift’ – maybe. But that is definitely not the general opinion among drivers.

Did Verstappen have a better teammate in Sergio Perez at the season finale than Hamilton had in Valteri Bottas?

Piece: Max already said during the race: ‘Sergio Pérez is a legend’ – and you can say that too. Pérez cost Hamilton almost six seconds, fairly and consistently. Would Bottas have done the same? Who knows. The situation did not arise. But what Sergio did there: Chapeau! That was really sensational. It wasn’t unfair, he just fought hard. Nobody can blame him for that.

Would you have trusted Bottas to play an equally self-sacrificing role in the worst-case scenario?

Piece: Bottas could in fact have done something like that. He can drive a car, he has proven that. We don’t know, of course, whether he would have thrown himself into shape in the end, even though they dumped him at Mercedes. But there was also no opportunity.

After seven years, the Mercedes dominance is broken for the time being. Can Verstappen’s triumph be seen as a changing of the guard?

Piece: At least Red Bull has now brought about a change that many have wished for. But, we’ve already seen that with Schumacher and Ferrari: Every era ends at some point. It’s great that we had two drivers this year who fought until the last minute. That’s just good for Formula 1. But changing the guard? Hamilton’s racing performance in Abu Dhabi was clearly better at the beginning – Mercedes was already fast. Even if Verstappen’s overtaking maneuver had worked on the first lap: Max would not have been able to hold Lewis. Mercedes is at a great level and it will continue to do so. Again: changing of the guard? Yes, because another team has now won a title. But purely in terms of performance, you still have to have Mercedes fully on the slip.

Will the changes to the regulations from the coming season bring us such exciting World Cup fights every year from now on?

Piece: I have said several times: It cannot be that there are 20 cars in the field, but only four of them can win. So the FIA ​​has to do something to make it even more exciting. It would be great if, like in the DTM, five different brands competed for victory.

Do you think it was also important for the shoemaker family that Michael Schumacher’s world championship record of seven titles was not broken by Hamilton for the time being?

Piece: I’m happy for Michael and I hope that he will come back to life someday. Everyone in the world wishes him that. He has worked hard and absolutely deserves that he is still the uncrowned champion. Record or not: It would be nice if Hamilton could hand over this crown live to Schumacher after a possible title in the coming year.

Speaking of the coming year: What can we expect from Sebastian Vettel in 2022?

Piece: Vettel has set standards this season and brought the car forward. This is not a question. The problems in the first year are quite normal, the team has yet to form. It is a godsend for Aston Martin that they have received a Sebastian Vettel. He brings all his experience to the table. That will continue well in terms of sport. The way up will be rocky, but Vettel will make his way there. I am convinced of that.

So Vettel is still at the top level?

Piece: He lacks nothing when it comes to driving. It is clear that he no longer brakes on the very last, most brutal groove like a Max Verstappen. But Sebastian has not forgotten anything and this year he also had his teammate Lance Stroll under control. You have to beat it first. For me, Vettel has done his job and brought his team much more than just one step forward.

How do you assess Mick Schumacher’s first F1 season?

Piece: I would say: business card handed in. The most important thing for him was to have his teammates under control – and that can be attested to. He set standards and occasionally threw a car away, but that’s also part of it – that’s the same thing for all young drivers. It would of course be a great story if the rumors about a move to Aston Martin came true and he could drive in a team with Vettel. Nothing better could happen to him.

How would that be helpful for Schumacher?

Piece: First of all, the two of them like each other and, secondly, Sebastian also helps him, which I find incredibly fair. I wish it for Mick, with whom you have to acknowledge what he’s already doing. The situation around his father is a great burden for a young man like him. You have to congratulate him on how he does it and how he is in public. He is an eloquent, really great guy – also thanks to Sabine Kehm. I take my hat off to him three times and wish that the next step comes in a better team. Then you will see: If Mick is in the right car, then he will also win races. I am convinced of that.

The interview was conducted by Marc Hlusiak