The key change that Formula 1 will have to prevent the controversial definition between Hamilton and Verstappen from repeating

The definition of the 2021 Formula 1 season was very controversial due to the decision made by former Race Director Michael Masi on the final lap in the neutralization of the race in which Max Verstappen, who was second and had cars lagging behind, had the chance to fall behind Lewis Hamilton who until that time he was the winner. The Dutchman surpassed the Englishman, won the competition and his first title in the Máxima.

Previously, the rule specified that any car lagging behind could overcome the leader as long as the safety car was on the track. But at the close of last year in Abu Dhabi, Masi allowed only the cars located between the pointer, Hamilton, and the second Verstappen to pass.

The controversy arose because the lagging drivers behind Max were unable to regain their turn. Once the safety car entered the pits and the last lap was at thrown speed, Verstappen took advantage of the soft rubber change he made with the neutralized race and had better rubber and more grip on the track for the fight with Hamilton, which he beat.

In order to prevent the situation from recurring, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), after several meetings with the team owners, decided to amend the rule and now specifies that all lagging cars must pass to the pointer if it is considered safe to do so, according to the specialized media Motorsport.

The article in question, on 55.13, from this moment states: “If the race director considers it safe to do so, and all competitors have been sent the message, the lagging cars can now overtake via the official radio system, all cars that are lagging behind (have lost a lap or more) by the leader must now overtake pass to the cars of the main lap and to the safety car.”

The change to the FIA sports regulations for F1 2022, which was released today, had several tweaks in recent weeks and now they need to finalize details.

Among other changes, drivers are also forced to stay on the podium with the diver. This point is due to the controversy that took place with Hamilton when at Mugello 2020, he went up to the stage with a t-shirt that said “arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor”. It was now typified in the standard: “For the duration of the podium ceremony and the post-race interview procedure, drivers who finish the race in first, second and third position must remain dressed only in their driving suits, placed up to their necks, without opening up to the waist”.

He is also obliged to stay with the diver “for the duration of the interviews at the pen television and the FIA press conference after the race, all drivers must remain dressed only in the uniform of their respective teams.”

On the other hand, at last year's Brazilian GP, Verstappen was fined for touching the rear wing of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes in the closed park, which is where cars are left after the activity and no one can touch them as they go through the technical review: “Drivers should not interfere with closed park protocols in any way”.

Finally, there is a minor change in the subject of scores due to what happened in Belgium 2021 when the race only had one lap with the safety car on the track due to heavy rain. For races that stop between 50 and 75 percent of the course, the score for fourth place changed from 9 to 10 points, and the score for seventh place, from 5 to 4 points. The full assignment is now 19-14-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1.

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