re: Formula 1 2021 Season Thread

I am one that thinks ref and steward decisions all come out in the wash over time. Lewis has been the winner and loser many times over the course of his career just like every driver that hangs around long enough. It also isn't like F1 hasn't had its share of questionable ends to a season. Off the top of my head: 1976, 1979, 1989, 1990, and 1997. I am sure you could add a lot more if you look back through the whole season for controversial decisions.




Oh yeah add 1964 to the list.

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”No Michael, no, no Michael. That was so not right”

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Neither was the "no investigation" of Lewis taking the bail out area and completely circumventing turn 10 in the first lap. That was ridiculous that he wasn't required to give that position back to Max.

What a shite way to end an amazing season

Neither Lewis or Max deserved that cluster frick from the FIA

Reversing the results is pointless

It’s a shame Max’s first championship came in this fashion

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What a shite way to end an amazing season

Neither Lewis or Max deserved that cluster frick from the FIA

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Agreed.

You’re overreacting. Merc fricked up and paid the price of a late wreck when they were on tires they should have already been off of. That Masi didn’t first let all the cars go through from the start of the SC doesn’t change the fact that Max had the better strategy for what played out.

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Surprised Masi even submitted it to the stewards. Out of his norm.

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Mais doesn’t have to submit anything to the stewards. They’re under their own discretion to act as they see fit. He can suggest something but they’re under no obligation to listen

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And I believe that given the two alternatives- finishing under yellow or letting them race - Masi chose the correct one.

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Ending under a safety car would have been awful

But Merc had gambled and won until Masi acted unilaterally and outside of the rules. Literally decided his own
restart order and kept 2nd from getting any pressure from 3rd.

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And I believe that given the two alternatives- finishing under yellow or letting them race - Masi chose the correct one.

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Yes. He shortcutted the rules (FIA words) to finish under green.

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But Merc had gambled and won until Masi acted unilaterally and outside of the rules.

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But Merc had gambled and won until Latifi wrecked.

Having had the chance to rewatch the race again , I can't help but think that Lewis was a little too timid in his defense today against Max both on the first lap and the last lap, while completely acknowledging he was on 40 lap-old hard tires and Max was on a fresh set of softs.

Passing isn’t the easiest thing, even on a restart, with newer tires. There have been some truly epic defenses over the years, up to and including drivers on slicks defending over multiple laps, in damp conditions, from drivers on wets on tracks where it’s easier to pass. I like Lewis, but I can’t help thinking how wide Senna or Schumacher (or maybe even Alonso) would have put their elbows out over that lap figuring they had nothing to lose in being rough.

It’s about whether the door would have been open for that lunge if it were someone else. I just don’t see a Senna or a Schumacher allowing it. their car would have been firmly planted at the entry to make Max go the long way round. (The fact that in the old days they also would have made a move back across after Max moved to the outside ends up being beside the point). There’s nothing in the current rules that says Lewis couldn’t have protected that line going in, only that he couldn’t slam anything shut too late or make multiple defensive moves.

He protects the inside into the run up to the corner, giving Max no opportunity to lunge. Forcing him to the outside. Then run your exit wide. Lewis took the regular racing line and got caught out because Max came from farther back than expected, but those are the breaks. I think Lewis has some agency here for not making it harder for Max.