Manipulation of the rules by race director Michael Masi leads to Max Verstappen victory which felt more bungled than buoyant
If there was one thing there appeared to be universal agreement on before Formula One’s season decider in Abu Dhabi, it was that no one wanted the result of an enthralling championship to be decided in the stewards’ room. Inevitably four hours after the flag fell, wrangling with the stewards continued. It may well yet go on for days or longer. Fans were left with a dissatisfying conclusion that was hard to understand, confusing in its methodology and that has triggered only acrimony and rancour. There were celebrations in Abu Dhabi but outside of the Red Bull garage it was far from a celebratory event.
Max Verstappen has been crowned world champion and there is no argument that had he or Lewis Hamilton won it, both would have been worthy winners in what has been an absolutely gripping fight between the two rivals. Yet the manner of the victory was bungled almost to the point of farce by the FIA.