F1 | Abu Dhabi GP | Masi's Race Director's notes reveal possible punishment for F1 title rivals in case of any "unsportsmanlike" behavior
Formula 1's racer director reminds the teams and drivers fighting for the championship to be aware of any unsportsmanlike behavior.
Formula 1 arrives in Abu Dhabi with just 28 points separating the constructors’ championship contenders and with the drivers’ standings tied between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The circumstances are clear, is now all or nothing for the Briton and the Dutchman at the circuit of Yas Marina, and they both know it all too well.
Now, according to F1’s regulations and with the possibility of having a double DNF scenario between the title fighters for either an incident or a mechanical situation, the first and in this case only tiebreaker would be by the number of race wins during the season, and Max Verstappen has the advantage on this aspect, beating Lewis Hamilton with 9 race wins to 8 from the 36-year-old.
On his Race Director’s notes for the final race of the calendar and with an environment full of concern, speculation, polemics, and drama, Michael Masi has now made it clear that the FIA will not be tolerating any unsportsmanlike behavior.
Article 9.15.1
“The Competitor shall be responsible for all acts or omissions on the part of any person taking part in, or providing a service in connection with, a Competition or a Championship on their behalf, including in particular their employees, direct or indirect, their Drivers, mechanics, consultants, service providers, or passengers, as well as any person to whom the Competitor has allowed access to the Reserved Areas.”
The Australian took on specific clauses of the FIA’s International Sporting Code, particularly, he cited rules relating to the behavior of all team members, sporting conduct, and the range for any hypothetical punishments.
Article 12.2.1 – Breach of Rules and in particular Article 12.2.1.l
“Any infringement of the principles of fairness in Competition, behavior in an unsportsmanlike manner or attempt to influence the result of a Competition in a way that is contrary to sporting ethics.”
A record eighth world title has been the target in 2021
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 9, 2021
And @LewisHamilton has risen to the challenge in the same way as always
One race to go...#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/A62ECE7TlG
Article 12.4.5
“For all the FIA Championships, cups, challenges, trophies or series, the stewards may also decide to impose the following penalties: Suspension for one or more Competitions, withdrawal of points for the Championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series.”
Arriving at the final race weekend of 2021 level on points at the top of the driver standings? 🏆
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 9, 2021
12 months ago, @Max33Verstappen didn't think it would be possible 👀#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/b92NatJdBl
The notes conclude that any punishment will be considered for both the drivers' and constructors' standings.
Article 12.4.5.a
“Points should not be deducted separately from Drivers and Competitors, save in exceptional circumstances.”
ICYMI: Our top two are TIED on points with one round to go!
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2021
Verstappen technically maintains the lead, as he has more wins (9) than Hamilton (8)#SaudiArabianGP 🇸🇦 #F1 pic.twitter.com/C201RydF4r
