Carlos Sainz Jnr has welcomed the FIA’s revision of the Safety Car regulations in the wake of the controversial conclusion to last year’s world championship.
The Ferrari driver says he was disadvantaged by a decision, taken by FIA Formula 1 race director Michael Masi, to only allow a portion of the lapped drivers to unlap themselves ahead of the final restart during last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sainz was running third at the end of the race behind leader Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Prior to the restart, Masi allowed the five lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to rejoin the lead lap, giving Verstappen a clear run at Hamilton.
However he did not do the same for the two cars separating Verstappen from Sainz, driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll. Verstappen subsequently passed Hamilton to win the race and the world championship, which prompted a protest from Mercedes.
Following the FIA’s investigation into the controversy, F1’s officiating structure…