So Hamilton still not confirmed whether he will return for the coming season until the FIA have done their ‘investigation’. Let’s be honest, this ‘inquiry’ will not change a thing. Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver to decide on F1 future after Abu Dhabi inquiry https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/59951382
Hamilton wouldn't retire in February and leave the team in the lurch. He and Toto are just applying a bit of pressure to try and get Masi replaced
Or at least get a better way of judging the 'rules'. I can't imagine the FIA will replace Masi - that would be admitting he did something wrong! The FIA just need a way of saving face and making the rules more transparent to everyone.
I think it's just a rehashing of what was said just after it happened, nothing new in it from what I've seen.
No one team or driver should have influence on the FIA. This is the whole problem in the first place!!! If Lewis is really pulling this bluff then that is low
I wouldn't blame him tbh, if someone robs your house you don't invite them round for dinner so they can do it again.
It certainly looks like they are trying to apply pressure. I think Lewis is waiting to see if the new Mercedes is any good, then will decided if he can be bothered in a mid field car vs collecting another championship. It all just smells a bit fishy.
Absolutely disagree with this. He should absolutely put pressure on them to get their house in order. It will be an absolute PR **** show for Liberty and the FIA if they don't acknowledge the faults that exist, fail to do anything to correct it in the future and one of their biggest stars walks away.. Hopefully that motivates them to want to ensure consistency in the rules and prioritize the sport over the spectacle.
Were it mid-season then I would agree. It would look like he was throwing his weight around to try and tilt the needle his way. To buy a decision in his favour at the next race. But it's off season, and Mercedes aren't challenging the race result or championship result. All they want is the FIA to provide competent, open stewardship of the series, and take an honest look at their own failings to ensure a level playing field going forwards. Abu Dhabi clearly had a big influence, but I think Mercedes/Hamilton would have had similar questions regardless of Championship outcome due to the way races were run throughout the season. Mercedes aren't demanding anything the rest of the grid shouldn't be in favour of. The FIA should absolutely respond and make changes. The difficulty is whether they have the mindset within the organisation to do so, and whether they can go far enough to appease Mercedes without saying something which puts a firm asterisk next to Verstappen's championship.
What I mean is the teams should collectively be a front to keep the FIA in order. One driver threatening to retire if a head doesn't roll is in no way the answer
Well there's one of the big problems. How often do teams show a united front? I think he's totally entitled to want answers. No point playing the game if the rules are made up on the spot or applied only when it suits. I'd want answers and heads to roll too.... In fact, as a spectator, I also want these things. It's vitally important so the sport remains credible imo. What happened was a farce. It can't happen again.
Seems like the report into "the incedent" won't be out till 2 days before start of season! So that puts Merc and Lewis in a tricky position re testing!
Came here to post something similar! Thoughts of Crofty in 2022 - "And to get some more info on that, Ted is down in the paddock talking to Mike Krack....." XD
The changes are being made with team and driver input so would expect there is enough knowledge ahead of the publication. I really don't see Lewis retiring anyway. Not a good way to bow out, leaving the team and factory with no options, unlike Lewis. It would also look bad that he bowed out after the first season he faced a real challenge, not a good legacy. In his shoes I would want to stick it to them, them being the FIA and RBR. My emotions have calmed down, I imagine Lewis's have too.
Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski is to leave the team with immediate effect. Frenchman Budkowski, who joined what was then known as Renault in 2017, is the victim of a management reorganisation following their first season under their new name. The reshuffle has been decided by Alpine chief executive officer Laurent Rossi, who was appointed before the start of last season. Alpine have given no further details. But former Aston Martin team boss Otmar Szafnauer has been linked with a move to the team. A team statement said Rossi would "temporarily ensure the team's management to allow everyone to focus on the next season's preparation". A spokesperson added: "Laurent is already very involved in the day-to-day affairs of the team and will do what is needed to make sure the team hits the ground running in 2022." Rossi thanked Budkowski for his "commitment and contribution", adding: "The team is fully focused on getting the car ready for the first race in Bahrain and delivering a step beyond in performance". Alpine won one race last season, with Esteban Ocon in Hungary, while Fernando Alonso scored a podium in Qatar. Overall, the team dropped in performance compared with the previous year, although they did manage to retain fifth place in the constructors' championship. Ocon's win was the team's first victory under Renault ownership since Alonso won the 2008 Japanese Grand Prix, although Kimi Raikkonen won a race in each of the 2012 and 2013 seasons for the same outfit under different ownership. Alpine are hoping for a step up in competitiveness this year, when new technical rules are being introduced to close up the field.
They seem permanently in transition at Alpine- I hope Rossi knows what he’s doing but thankfully they do have Pat Fry there to set them up well for the new regs. I’d love to see Alonso in a really good car before he bows out