Long Read: Lewis Hamilton vs FIA – ‘An expensive game of F1 chicken’

Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

The seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, remains silent on his social media platforms spurring on speculation that the #44 Mercedes will retire from Formula One.

In the aftermath of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton lost the chance of winning his record-breaking eighth world title as the Race Director, Michael Masi, ensured the final lap went under green flag conditions – after Williams’ Nicholas Latifi crashed late in the race.

While the seven-time world champion lost the championship battle with dignity, congratulating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on his maiden championship win. His issues lie at the feet of the FIA.

Right now it seems Hamilton and the FIA are locked in a strategic game of chess, or an expensive game of F1 chicken.

The silence is deafening

Ever since Hamilton suffered his crushing defeat in Abu Dhabi, the seven-time world champion has remained silent on his social media platforms. Which is understandable, considering the manner in which he lost the race and championship.

On both Twitter and Instagram, Hamilton’s most recent posts – on December 11, 2021 – regarded his P2 start in the final race of the season, alongside his title-rival, Verstappen.

After the 2020 season, Hamilton reflected back on his teams hard work over the season and promoted his newly-formed Extreme E team, increasing awareness on mental health and equality.

Compared to last year, the silence is deafening amongst his fan base, prompting a hashtag in support of Hamilton: #WeStandWithLewis.

The Annual FIA Prize-Giving Gala

The tension between Hamilton and the FIA wasn’t clear-cut during Hamilton’s social media black out. However, the tension between the two parties rose when the seven-time champion failed to show-up for the FIA Prize-Giving Gala.

According to Article 6.6 of the 2021 Formula One Sporting Regulation, it states:

“The drivers finishing first, second and third in the Championship must be present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony.”

Only Verstappen (first) and Hamilton’s now-former teammate, Valtteri Bottas (third) showed up for their respective trophies with James Allison, Mercedes Chief Technical Officer showing up for the constructors trophy.

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This meant that Hamilton broke the regulations by failing to attend the FIA gala. As a result, the new FIA president – succeeding former president, Jean Todt – Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated that he understood how Hamilton must have felt. But during his first press conference as the newly-elected president, Sulayem said:

“At the end of the day, rules are rules.”

The Abu Dhabi Inquiry

After the controversial final lap, and the following complaints from Hamilton and Mercedes, the FIA looked to be on side with the seven-time world champion as the governing body will inquire into the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In a basic concept, Masi failed to comply with the FIA’s own ruleset in a bid to ensure the the final lap of the 2021 championship went under green flag conditions.

Masi allowed a selection of lapped cars to overtake the safety car, between Hamilton and Verstappen. Which, in turn, allowed Verstappen to overtake Hamilton on fresher, soft tyres to win the race and the world title.

According to the FIA’s sporting regulations, Article 48.12 states:

“Any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car.”

Any being the key word. This could be misinterpreted as ‘all cars lapped‘ by the leader will be required to pass the safety car. However, this wasn’t the only infringement, as the safety car was ordered to return to the pits on the same lap the cars were told to overtake.

Article 48.12 also states:

“Once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap.”

Which meant the safety car should’ve returned to the pit lane on the final lap, providing Hamilton with the win and the title.

Overall, the inquiry was good for both parties as the FIA would investigate to ensure that, if they were responsible, appropriate action could be taken to avoid a similar instance in the future.

Backing Hamilton into a corner

At first, this looked to be a great compromise for both parties but when it was reported that Hamilton would reveal if he was racing in 2022, after the inquiry was released, it hasn’t seemed to rub well with the governing body.

With an initial release date of February 2022 for the inquiry’s findings, the FIA have stated they will reveal a detailed analysis of the inquiry at the F1 Commission on February 14.

However, for the full report, the FIA have pushed back the release date until after their meeting at the World Motor Sport Council which, in a coincidence, conflicts with the beginning of the 2022 season in Bahrain (March 18).

It looks as if the FIA have backed Hamilton into a corner to force his hand and reveal if he is racing in 2022 this season. As a result, it appears to be an expensive game of F1 chicken to see which one will back down first: the FIA or Hamilton.

However, there is the possibility that the decision to release the full inquiry on March 18 may force Hamilton to call time on his luxurious F1 career.

That’s it for the article: Lewis Hamilton vs FIA: An expensive game of F1 chicken! What do you think of the ongoing events? Let us know in the comments

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