F1 News
F1 drivers await FIA report Abu Dhabi: 'Important for the sport'
- GPblog.com
This weekend will mark for many F1 fans not only the start of the 2022 season but also as the conclusion of the 2021 season. Indeed, on Saturday the FIA is going to announce what lessons they learned from the last race of last season. In Abu Dhabi, the race control made questionable choices, resulting in Max Verstappen becoming world champion at the final corner.
Although F1 fans are hugely looking forward to this report, in the paddock not all are waiting for the investigation results. Where one driver seems to find it very important, another doesn't really care. During the press conference, a few were asked if they are interested in this investigation.
Lewis Hamilton
The seven-time world champion is already satisfied that changes have been made within the FIA, referring to the removal of race director Michael Masi. He has also spoken to the new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem about the race. "It's important for everyone to see that the sport is moving in the right direction," by which he refers to the publication of the investigation results.
Fernando Alonso
Whereas Hamilton is thus curious about the research results, other drivers are a lot less so. Including Fernando Alonso. "To be honest, it doesn't matter to me. At that moment it felt like the right decision, and you can agree or disagree with that. We are just going to continue," explained the Alpine driver succinctly.
Carlos Sainz
The other Spaniard in Formula 1, Carlos Sainz, chooses a bit more of a middle ground. He is curious about the research results, but he also recognizes that it is about the past, which cannot be changed anymore. According to him, it is important that the FIA learns from the investigation, applies changes where necessary, but keeps going.
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari's Monegasque is one of the drivers who would prefer to see the FIA report now. According to Leclerc, it is important that the FIA shows transparency so that everyone can see it. He himself, because of the length, will probably not read the report. But for the growth of Formula 1, the Ferrari driver says it is important to learn from Abu Dhabi 2021.
Max Verstappen
If it were up to Verstappen, the FIA would publish the report and then immediately focus on this season. The Dutchman explains that he does not think a full report is necessary either and that learning from the lessons is enough. Because of the situation in Abu Dhabi, there are still many F1 fans who do not consider the Dutchman a real-world champion yet. Verstappen himself however thinks that he has nothing more to prove since he won the most races last season.