Strongly divided opinions over Verstappen: 'FIA wants a new champion'

19 November 2021 at 17:25

Last update 19 November 2021 at 17:57

GPblog.com

We had to wait for a while, but the stewards have decided: the incident between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton doesn't need further investigation. The opinions about the decision, as well as the decision made during the Brazilian Grand Prix, are strongly divided. Some think it sets a negative precedent for the future, while others think the opposite.

According to some, it was the only right decision. Many agree that there should've been a discussion about whether or not to penalise the action during the race, but feel that the decision should be taken during the race and not a week later.

Opinions strongly divided about incident Verstappen and Hamilton

Others think that not punishing the action sets a dangerous precedent. They fear that all drivers will change their approach from now on, with all possible consequences.

Some even go a step further and claim that the FIA is trying to 'secure a new world champion'. One thing is clear after all the controversy: the stewards' job is not an easy one and you have to be tough to take it on.

So the stewards might think it was worthy of a penalty, but they never got asked to investigate. This wasn't asking for their opinion on the move, it was asking if the new camera angle changed anything "significantly" vs the ones available to Masi at the time. #F1
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) November 19, 2021

The Mercedes review has been DENIED.

Championship unchanged, will the way the drivers race remain unchanged?

I smell some controversy over the last 3 races…
— Matt Gallagher (@MattyWTF1) November 19, 2021

For all those saying Brazil does now create a precedent that pushing drivers off track is OK, the rejection of the right to review does not say that what was decided in Brazil was correct. Merely that the “new evidence” wasn’t “significant” enough to allow an appeal.
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) November 19, 2021

Toto and Christian getting informed about the decision during the press con. FIA pls #QatarGP
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) November 19, 2021

The rejection of Mercedes’ petition doesn’t mean what Verstappen did was okay, just that the #FIA didn’t see enough new evidence to revisit.#F1 fans deserve to know why pushing a driver 10 car widths off track wasn’t investigated.

This appears to set a dangerous precedent. https://t.co/9jJ4B06S1C
— Jeff Pappone (@jpappone) November 19, 2021

Awesome. Now everyone can take the Max approach and push people wide without fear of reprisal due to the precedent they have set.
Good job #fia #skyf1 #f1
— Chris (@theChr15pyONE) November 19, 2021

Max Verstappen clearly deliberately cornered wide, taking himself & forcing Lewis Hamilton off the track.
There are track limits for a reason? FIA - No!

It seems obvious to all that FIA want a new world champion, it is very clear.#F1 #FIA #LewisHamilton #MaxVerstappen https://t.co/gDcpkPqeZh
— Mike Carrington (@mike_cathael) November 19, 2021