The world automotive association Fia is under pressure. The opaque scoring of Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 title is the negative highlight of a season full of breakdowns.
After all, Max Verstappen took the second chaotic Formula 1 title decision in a row easily. But the fact that the world automobile association Fia robbed the Red Bull driver of his world championship moment with an astounding award of points was seamlessly integrated into a series of undignified mishaps and mistakes.
When Verstappen finally learned from a Fia employee that he was actually champion again because of the application of a complicated rule, a new hurricane of criticism had long since passed over the umbrella organization.
The impression can be gained more and more that the Fia is losing control of what is happening. “There is an endless list of controversies and mistakes,” said Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto clearly in a digital media round: “I don’t want to go so far as to say that everything is done for the benefit of Red Bull, but there are inconsistencies and mistakes in the decisions. Our sport needs to get better.”
“I actually think it’s pretty funny”
Once again, Formula 1 in Japan stumbled over its much too complicated set of rules, which not even the professionals can see through anymore. Only when the track announcer announced Verstappen as world champion did most of them realize that despite the shortened race, full points had been awarded and that Verstappen could no longer be caught. “To be honest I don’t mind that it was a bit confusing, I actually find it quite funny,” said Verstappen.
The fans saw it differently. They took to social media to express their outrage at having their most important moment of the year spoiled, with no one able to see through the chaos. The broadcasting television stations and most of the media had also miscalculated and had assumed that the World Cup decision had been postponed. “In the end, Formula 1 will still win because controversies make headlines,” tweeted British Formula 1 expert Joe Saward.
Decisions endanger drivers
There have been many of these controversies about the Fia recently. An investigation should now clarify how it was possible for a recovery vehicle to drive very close to the course in Suzuka with little visibility while there were still cars on the road. “I’m happy to go home healthy today. In such circumstances with very poor visibility there should never be track workers or vehicles on the course,” tweeted French driver Pierre Gasly.
Questionable situations with marshals or rescue vehicles in sensitive locations have happened again and again, despite all initiatives to increase safety. The dangers were addressed several times at the driver meetings, the drivers expect more from the Fia in the fight against the risks.
Inconsistency in rule decisions
And then there is the inconsistency in rule decisions. While hours after the race at the Singapore Grand Prix the winner was not yet certain and the Mexican Sergio Perez had to tremble for his success because he had left too much space for the safety car, it only took a few moments for a decision against Charles Leclerc in Japan moments.
Only because the Ferrari star quickly received a five-second penalty for leaving the track and fell back from second to third place did Verstappen become world champion in Japan. “Very surprised and very disappointed” was Binotto’s response to the Fia’s behavior after “a few seconds” of deliberation.
Sluggishness in cost cap report
It’s this mess that bothers racing teams and observers. There’s also inertia, like the months-awaited report on spending by the ten teams last season. It was originally supposed to be clear in March whether teams in 2021 exceeded the cost limit of 148.6 million US dollars. The report was repeatedly postponed, and the official result finally came out on Monday.
Red Bull slightly exceeded the spending limit and, like Aston Martin, violated procedural rules, the Fia said. Penalties should now be examined, but harsh sanctions are not to be expected. Only when the spending limit is significantly exceeded are points deducted in the constructors’ rating.
The fact that it was only eleven months after the end of the season that it was clear whether someone broke the rules seems grotesque and even fueled conspiracy theories. There was already a great deal of controversy when Verstappen secured the world championship on the track last year. In November 2021, then-FIA race director Michael Masi made decisions that gave Verstappen an advantage to defeat Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton just before the end. Masi was removed after months of debate.
An investigation concluded that “a human error” was made. In a sport that strives for the image of perfection, such admissions have recently been surprisingly common.