Recently, a Twitter hashtag that culminated in a website is calling for result change in the Abu Dhabi controversy, essentially stripping lap 58 decisions and marking them as void. Over two months have passed since the controversial Abu Dhabi GP but it remains to be a hot topic among F1 enthusiasts. The safety car disarray denied Lewis Hamilton his record eighth title.
This started a protest against the FIA led by the Mercedes team forcing the top body to launch a detailed review into the matter. Meanwhile, Hamilton took a long break from social media, one that ended only a few days ago. Though the Briton didn’t speak out in the criticism of the race director Masi, his silence spoke volumes.
It started when the two Mercedes men, Hamilton and Wolff, decided to boycott the FIA prize-giving gala as a sign of protest in December. Since then, team boss Wolff went all out against the race director, calling out his poor decision-making. A committee headed by incoming President Mohammad ben Sulayem will announce the final decisions at the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain on 18th March.
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But this is not over, a Twitter hashtag, is demanding drastic measures in this case.
The Lap 58 has no legal or sporting sanctity: VoidLap58 statement
The widely shared website that goes by the name of VoidLap58 is handing out suggestions to the FIA. One thing that most will agree on is that the reputation of the FIA took a hit amidst this controversy. This website is making a call to the topmost body to make structural changes to gain its reputation back.
These include relieving Michael Masi from his duties and demanding a fair championship battle. The crux of these demands lies in voiding the lap 58 events. “It seems we have reached a point where – for the sake of the sport and its integrity – lap 58 needs to be voided. It has no legal basis to exist, and the way in which it was created was not sporting,” read a portion from the website.
“The problem isn’t going to fix itself and people aren’t ever going to respect the result of the 2021 WDC as things stand. What’s required is the honesty and bravery to simply #VoidLap58 and correct the mistake.”
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“Under new leadership, I hope the FIA has the courage to fully restore credibility and meaning to the sport I love. I want to spend the next season enjoying a new era of racing, not looking back to this tainted championship and wondering when illegitimacy will strike again,” read a part of the concluding paragraph.
F1 Commission Meeting – Media Statementhttps://t.co/JYcN7YRvZ7
— FIA (@fia) February 14, 2022
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However, now as the season approaches, fans are waiting for another thrilling title battle. But amidst this excitement, FIA is still fighting to regain its credibility, a lot of which depends on the findings in the Abu Dhabi review. Tell us what you think of this issue in the comment section below.
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