The FIA confirmed in the days after Max Verstappen won the title on the final lap via Lewis Hamilton that it would open a full investigation into the restart of the race, which was subject to protests from Mercedes.
Mercedes decided to end its action after the FIA announced its plans to analyze the events in Abu Dhabi but said it would “actively work with this commission to build a better Formula 1 for every team and fan who loves this sport “like us”.
The FIA had not released any updates or notices on the review since then, but confirmed in a statement released Thursday that the investigation was now fully underway and outlined the next steps.
The newly appointed FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem will consult both teams and F1 drivers as part of the analysis of the events in Abu Dhabi.
Talks with teams will address “various issues, including this one” before “sharing a discussion with all F1 drivers” in the next phase of investigation.
The result of the analysis following these discussions will be presented to the F1 Commission in February before the final decisions will be announced at the World Motor Sport Council meeting in March, just two days before the start of the new season.
FIA General Secretary for Sport, Peter Bayer, was asked by Ben Sulayem to come up with suggestions for reviewing and “optimizing the organization of the FIA F1 structure for the 2022 season”.
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The news comes at a time when Hamilton is pondering his future due to the fashion of his defeat in Abu Dhabi. He said on the radio after the race that it had been “manipulated” and has not spoken publicly since his brief post-race interview at Parc Ferme.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said last month that both he and Hamilton are “disaffected” and that he hopes it won’t make the seven-time world champion leave.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2nd place, congratulates Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st place, in Parc Ferme
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
FIA statement in full
“Following the decision of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on December 15, 2021, the FIA administration, under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, began a detailed analysis of the events of the last Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi,” the statement said .
“The FIA President is launching a consultation with all F1 teams on various topics, including this one.
“On January 19, an item on the agenda of the sports council will be dedicated to the use of the safety car.
“The next phase will be a joint discussion with all F1 drivers.
“The result of the detailed analysis will be presented to the F1 Commission in February and the final decisions will be announced on March 18th at the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain.
“FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has asked General Secretary Sport and the recently appointed single-seater director Peter Bayer for suggestions on how to review and optimize the organization of the FIA F1 structure for the 2022 season.”
