Red Bull, Mercedes in harmony during meeting over Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The F1 Commission, which included representatives from Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams, met for four hours on Monday.

F1 race. (Image: Twitter/@F1)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Feb 15, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

According to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Mercedes and Red Bull were in “harmony” at the crucial F1 meeting regarding last season’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix decider. Toto Wolff, the CEO of Mercedes, and Christian Horner, the CEO of Red Bull, were both present at the F1 Commission meeting in London on Monday, where detailed discussions about the controversial title finale involving their drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were held.

The meeting was chaired by Ben Sulayem, the newly-elected FIA president, who later stated that despite the increased hostility during and especially at the end of last season, there were no issues between the two teams.

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“They were in line,” said Ben Sulayem. “I think it’s because of Valentine’s Day. “They were close to each other and they were in a good mood, so that was good. I expected more entertainment but it was good to see the harmony between them.”

The F1 Commission, which included representatives from Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams, met for four hours on Monday, but while Abu Dhabi was discussed, changes resulting from the last-lap controversy are still on hold. In the coming days, Ben Sulayem has promised structural changes and an action plan.

We agreed on certain things and the analysis is still going on,” the new FIA President said. “But it will come soon… it was a good discussion there. So we will see.”

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Trouble for Masi

Michael Masi, the race director whose handling of the final laps and the safety car allowed Verstappen to overtake Hamilton on his older tyres, has his future in serious doubt. Masi is expected to take on a new safety role within the FIA, according to Sky Sports. Meanwhile, the race director position is likely to be split between two people, and they will be better supported and rotated in that position.

“Information will be announced, but definitely as I said, the integrity of the FIA will always be intact,” added Ben Sulayem. “I am elected to do that but also have fair motorsport, as that’s my duty. So it was a very good meeting. We can only go forward. This is important for the FIA, for the integrity of the FIA and for the sport. So we can only improve the future.”