According to express.co.uk, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are set “to be interviewed by the FIA” as part of the governing body’s investigation into the season finale of 2021.
The Abu Dhabi GP saw an extremely contentious decision made by Race Director Michael Masi and the FIA. It ended up influencing the world championship result, with Hamilton losing out on a surefire eighth world title to Verstappen on the last lap on the last race of the season.
Such a controversial decision had massive consequences, with protests, withdrawn protests, petitions, rumoured backroom deals and retirements telling only part of the story. The fallout saw the FIA set up an important meeting to investigate what happened at Yas Marina.
As part of that meeting, Hamilton and Verstappen are set “to be interviewed by the FIA”.
Sky Sports’ Craig Slater went on record to say, “Three weeks is how long the FIA have set themselves to deal with this matter.
“Work only began in earnest on it on Monday. That is to say, this FIA commission started to interview those involved.
“Presumably Hamilton, Verstappen, the team bosses involved, the other drivers who were involved in this ‘unlapping yourself behind the safety car’ saga, or not involved in it as they case may be.”
Deadlines set
“Remember, one of the controversies was that five cars, the ones between Hamilton and Verstappen, unlapped themselves behind the safety car, but others did not,” he continued.
“So this is going to go on. The FIA have told me that they will not be dragging this out, the investigation will be thorough, objective and transparent.
“This should be done by February 3, at which point the FIA have a motorsport council meeting, and they expect to announce those findings by then.”
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