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ABU DHABI − Max Verstappen’s controversial 2021 world championship win at the recent season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has prompted Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko to warn FIA that the team could reconsider their future in Formula One if the governing body does not manage regulations more effectively, according to a report by racingnews365.com.
Following a last-lap showdown between Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after a safety car period came to an end, there has been plenty of debate over the manner in which the race was ended.
Mercedes has led the charge by having lodged two separate protests against the results, and despite their claims being rejected, the team have since confirmed plans to appeal the stewards’ decision.
Meanwhile, Marko, who has criticised the Silver Arrows for being “sore losers”, wants changes to be made soon after expressing his disappointment with how the sport has been affected by issues with the regulations and stewards’ calls this season.
“We will think about our future in Formula One if it does not have the desired effects on future championships,” Marko told media.
“Decisions have to be quick and unambiguous. It has to be a matter of seconds, and these decisions should not be different every time.”
As there will soon be a new FIA president to replace the outgoing Jean Todt, the Austrian hopes that this issue will be a priority for Todt’s successor.
“It is not our job, but after so many mistakes have been made and unworthy decisions have been taken, there is certainly a great need for change,” Marko said.
“There will be a new FIA president; he should start working on this immediately.”
This isn’t the first time that Red Bull have voiced their displeasure with the stewards’ decisions.
Following the penultimate race of the season in Saudi Arabia, team boss Christian Horner spoke of his frustration with the FIA after Verstappen received two time penalties.
However, Horner believes that the right call was made during the latter stages of the event in Abu Dhabi.
“It was about ‘let them race’,” Horner told Channel 4. “It was vital, it’s what we’ve talked about so often, ‘let them race, let them race’.
“The stewards and the race director (Michael Masi) − they made the right call. They got the backmarkers out of the way and it was a one-lap showdown. It sort of sums up this year, really.” – Agencies, December 15, 2021
