Hamilton’s Security Automobile Tactic Left Max FUMING!

With the safety car on the track in Australia,Hamilton pulled a move that had Verstappen fuming down the radio, his complaint fellon deaf ears as he was quickly overruled not that it really mattered as the Dutchman wenton to win the race. Like numerous F1 rules, Safety Car proceduresand driver adherence has sparked angry debates amongst fans and drivers alike. Join us as we explain why Max was overruledin Australia, a fresh perspective from that fateful safety car incident in Abu Dhabi thatsaw Hamilton’s 8th title snatched from his tight grip and new comments from Masi himself. At the Melbourne GP where fans were treatedto three red flags and consequent safety cars.

It was the third and final Safety Car releasethat had Max Verstappen once again spark controversy. Max went on to win the Aussie race but saidpost race: “Of course, very happy to win the race butI think the race itself towards the end was a bit of a mess with all the calls.” Unless it is on the lap returning to the pitlane, drivers are typically expected to maintain a distance of no more than ten car lengthsfrom the safety car. In Australia, following an early red flagperiod, the safety car was leading the field for one lap before returning to the pits,and the race was scheduled to resume from the grid.

However, this caused some confusion. Verstappen questioned Hamilton's actions viateam radio over the incident and ordered his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to reportan alleged infraction to the stewards after claiming Hamilton was further than 10 carlengths behind the FIA vehicle. “Mate, this is more than 10 car lengths. Check it!” But replays later showed that Hamilton's slowpace had caused drivers in the lower order to become entangled with one another at theturn six-seven chicane. The FIA stewards reviewed the restart procedure,but they, in uncharacteristic speed, determined.

That no further action was necessary. [*Insert graphic]* F1 Sporting Regulations Article 58.11 *”58.11 If track conditions are consideredsuitable to resume the sprint session or the race from a standing start, the message “STANDINGSTART PROCEDURE” will be sent to all Competitors using the official messaging system at a timeno later than one (1) minute signal detailed in Article 58.5.* *”When the clerk of the course decides itis safe to call in the safety car, the message “STANDING START” will be sent to all Competitorsusing the official messaging system, all FIA.

Light panels will display “SS” and thesafety car’s orange lights will be extinguished. This will be the signal to the Competitorsand drivers that the safety car will be entering the pit lane at the end of that lap.* *”At this point the first car in line behindthe safety car may dictate the pace and, if necessary, fall more than ten (10) car lengthsbehind it* *”As the safety car is approaching the pitentry the FIA light panels will be extinguished.”* Although the FIA prioritizes safety when haltinga race, the standing restarts after a red flag undoubtedly contribute to the excitementand spectacle of the event. The drivers have indicated their plan to addressthis issue with F1 and the FIA ahead of the.

Next round in Baku. However, the confusion and turmoil in therecent race highlighted a clear lack of transparency in the criteria that prompt the deploymentof a safety car or a red flag, especially in the latter parts of a race. The F1 and FIA have always strived to preventraces from ending with cars following the safety car in a queue. This objective influenced the decision-makingprocess during the Abu Dhabi race in 2021, where the race director, Michael Masi, madesome improvised decisions that led to significant consequences.

The usual safety car protocols were not followed,and a last-lap showdown was staged to determine the outcome of the intense championship battlebetween Hamilton and Verstappen. These decisions ultimately prevented Hamiltonfrom securing his eighth championship title and ensured Verstappen's first win. After the Abu Dhabi race, many people agreedthat a red flag should h ave been displayed at the time, and the FIA investigated theincident and determined that there was “human error.” As a result, Michael Masi was removed fromhis position as race director. He made his first return to the F1 paddockrecently and witnessed the outcome of his.

Decisions. It is apparent that since the incident in2021, there has been a clear tendency to display the red flag earlier rather than later. Masi still maintains that fans “have theirperspective and are entitled to their view.” He responded to the views of others regardingthe incident that significantly impacted his career and the sport. “I respect any view, and it’s not forme to comment on what they do or don’t think.” Masi also expressed his openness to discussingthe matter if approached and stated that he has always been open to such discussions.

“And if I am approached to have a discussionI am open to it, and always have been.” In a new interview, safety car driver BertMylander spoke of Hamilton’s sneaky tactic which gives safety car drivers a headache“Lewis always hides a bit behind the car,” Maylander told Auto Motor und Sport. “You always have to look into the blindspot – where is he?” He then went on to say that after the eventsthat unfolded on the final lap in Abu Dhabi he had to take some time to process what hadjust happened. “I walked through the hospitality area withmy helmet on [my head] and sat down at the back of the harbor first.

I had to be on my own first, think what justhappened?” Following the days post race, Maylander wasindecisive as to the final outcome. It seems F1 rules confuse even those rightin the mix. “I just wanted to decide for myself. Do I like it or not, as it was? A few days later, I said, no, everything wasactually fine the way it happened. Both teams deserved to be champions. Max was clearly the lucky one in the end,and the team did a great job throughout the year.

As did the others, of course. But the last bit of luck was missing for Lewis. That’s just the way it is in sports.” The post-race interview in Abu Dhabi lefta lot of F1 fans feeling proud of Hamilton on how he handled the infamous moment. But the impact of the incident is still evidentand has, in fact, been further amplified since then. In March of the following year, changes wereinevitably made regarding the car rules in such circumstances as Abu Dhabi’s final.

And so the door stop of a rule book is foreverbeing evolved. Silver Arrows George Russel has voiced hisfrustration: “I don’t really know what’s going on with some of the decisions at themoment. “We’re all trying to work together withthe FIA to improve things but it’s seemingly a bit of a challenge.” The Monza race last season, ended with thesafety car leading the field, which prompted fans to boo as the drivers took the chequeredflag, and Charles Leclerc was denied a chance to win for Ferrari. With Daniel Ricciardo stuck on the side ofthe track and several cars between the safety.

Car and race leader Max Verstappen, the FIAadhered to the regulations, allowed backmarkers to pass, and waited before calling in thesafety car, ultimately ending the race. “It always brings memories back. But it is what it is.” Hamilton acknowledges. But it seems the demand for entertainmentis part of the Stewards agenda in making decisions. Verstappen’s complaints are ironic givenhis previous Safety Car tactics. In both Bahrain and Jeddah in 2022, Verstappendrew alongside Leclerc as they approached the final corners before the restart oncethe safety car had moved ahead to return to.

The pits. Sounds familiar. But controversy with Safety Car procedurescontinue to plague former F1 drivers. Former F1 driver Tiff Needell recently tookto social media to hit out at the FIA after the safety car was deployed during the SaudiArabian Grand Prix. “So the Safety Car was deployed because theGPS said Stroll was still on the track!! And the 300 screens and cameras in the Steward'sMission Control didn't tell them otherwise???” As Alonso said post Melbourne GP, “For us, maybe it was a different opinionbut as I said the FIA are the only ones that.

Have all the cards in the table. We trust them and we try to keep on going.” With all the changes if the FIA and recentcontroversy do you still think they are fit to oversee F1? Let us know!

Sharing is caring!