The 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi had its fair share of controversy attached to it that left Lewis Hamilton high and dry. A similar situation at the Italian Grand Prix has left the fans baffled. Alpine Sporting Director Alan Permane feels that it’s time FIA makes changes to the rules.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
During the final few laps of the Italian Grand Prix, second-placed Charles Leclerc was slowly closing in on race leader Max Verstappen. Just then, the safety car was hauled in after Daniel Ricciardo’s car stopped abruptly. This resulted in the race ending behind the safety car, even when everyone was expecting the race to restart. The situation gave the fans a déjà vu of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Alan Permane demands changes in rules by FIA
With Daniel Ricciardo‘s car stuck between the two Lesmo corners, everyone expected the car to be rolled out by stewards and the race to restart soon. In this anticipation, all the race leaders went for a change of tires. However, as they could not bring the stalled car to neutral, it had to be lifted by a crane. This resulted in the race ending behind the safety car, ruining the expectations of a grand finale, along the lines of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. While FIA’s decision inviting the fans’ wrath, the Alpine Sporting Director has demanded a change in rules.
Permane said, “It sounds like you have a six-lap sprint, everyone has fresh tires and we go. There will be some unintended consequences but it’s happened before, we did it in Baku last year and it was good. I guess you can write that into the rules, it doesn’t sound crazy. I’m sure there will be something we don’t like but we’re here to put a show on and that clearly wasn’t acceptable.”
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff had their share of advice on the incident as well.
Lewis Hamilton and Toto’s take on FIA’s rules
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Having been victims at the hands of FIA’s decision in 2021, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Team Principal Toto Wolff had a word of advice as well.
Lewis demanded that the races be extended for a few laps if such incidents happen in the future. This would be similar to the British Touring Car Championship’s rules, a league where Hamilton’s brother competes. Toto Wolff took a similar stance to that of Permane, but did not want races to be red-flagged just to “have a show for one lap”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Read More: Lewis Hamilton Kicks Off Mammoth $140 Million Hollywood Passion Project
All three suggestions seem reasonable. In the end, drivers go down racing, and fans get what they are there for – to watch a race and not a dud affair that ensued at Monza.