F1 introduce important in-race change ahead of 2022 season

F1 team principals will not be allowed to talk to the race director during the race, from the 2022 season.

Ross Brawn, Formula 1‘s managing director, has confirmed that team principals will not be able to speak with the race director from the 2022 season. The decision comes after the controversial incident at Abu Dhabi, which eventually saw Max Verstappen win the race in the final lap. 

While speaking with Auto Motor und Sport, Brawn revealed he was not willing to let the team principals put more pressure on the race director anymore. He said:

“We will stop this contact next year. It’s unacceptable that team bosses put Michael under such pressure during the race. It’s like the coaches negotiating with the referee in football. Toto can’t demand there shouldn’t be a Safety Car and Christian can’t demand the cars have to un-lap. That’s at the discretion of the race director.”

Abu Dhabi incident puts F1 race director Michael Masi under pressure

Lewis Hamilton was 11 seconds clear of Max Verstappen with six laps remaining when Nicholas Latifi crashed into the wall at Turn 14. Michael Masi immediately signed for the safety car, and it seemed like the race was going to end behind the safety vehicle.

However, after Red Bull’s Christian Horner requested one more lap of racing, Masi changed his mind, which helped Max clinch his first world championship. 

Mercedes are now appealing the decision in the International Court of Appeal in Paris.