After the incredibly dramatic Formula 1 final in 2021, the future of the safety car is on the test bench!
On Wednesday (January 19), the Fia (sports advisory board of the international automobile association) will discuss the safety car.
Mercedes pilot Lewis Hamilton (37) missed the world title in December 2021 because of a safety car deployment that his competitor Max Verstappen (24) ultimately made the first World Cup victory possible.
In this context, the processing of the events of December 12, 2021 at the final in Abu Dhabi began on Monday.
There should be a joint discussion with all Formula 1 drivers about the safety car. In addition, the new Fia President Mohammed Ben Sulayem (61) commissioned Sports Secretary General Peter Bayer with proposals for a new Formula 1 structure for the association.
The result of the detailed analysis should then be presented to the Formula 1 Commission in February. Decisions on this will be made at a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain on March 18 ahead of the season opener.
What happened in the Formula 1 final in Abu Dhabi?
Shortly before the end, the safety car came out after an accident. As a result, the order of the racing cars remained the same as before, but the gaps narrowed and the field moved closer together.
Red Bull took the opportunity to have Verstappen change the tires. The Dutchman was second behind Hamilton at the time.
Mercedes did not bring Hamilton into the pits. The reason for this: It was unclear whether the race would end behind the safety car, i.e. when no overtaking was allowed, or in open racing. Mercedes would have risked victory – and thus the world title – with a Hamilton stop.
When the safety car left the track and there was a restart, the two cars were almost level with one lap to go. In turn five of the very last lap, Verstappen passed – and became world champion!
As a result, Lewis Hamilton (37) missed his eighth world championship title in Formula 1 after 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. He is still tied Michael Schumacher (53), who was Formula 1 World Champion in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
It is still unclear whether Lewis Hamilton will make another attempt at his eighth world title. The English “Daily Mail” reports that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff (50) will meet with Ben Sulayem on Friday. The outcome of the conversation should have a major impact on Hamilton’s future decision. But BILD knows: The Briton is currently keeping fit for another season with a fitness program.
After all: If Hamilton continues, he could be spared a bitter end to the season like in Abu Dhabi due to possible rule changes. It remains exciting in Formula 1.