The FIA has changed the rule which was at the centre of the controversial outcome of last year’s world championship contest between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
The championship-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix became a focus of dispute after FIA Formula 1 race director Michael Masi took the unprecedented decision to restart the race after only allowing a portion of the lapped drivers to rejoin the lead lap.
Masi allowed the five lapped cars separating race leader Hamilton from second-placed Verstappen to rejoin the lead lap. Two other lapped cars between Verstappen and third-placed Carlos Sainz Jnr, and another car further back, were not allowed to unlap themsleves.
After the restart was given, Verstappen overtook Hamilton to win the race and, with it, the world championship. Mercedes immediately protested the outcome, stating Masi had failed to respect the regulations by only allowing a portion of the field to regain the lead lap.
Mercedes’ protest was rejected and…