Mercedes team lucky to escape penalty says Todt
Dec.17 - Mercedes is lucky to escape penalty for the way the German team aimed fire at the governing FIA following the controversial end to the 2021 title battle.
That is the view of departing FIA president Jean Todt, even though he says the federation will "rise above" calls for Lewis Hamilton to be penalised for missing Thursday's end-of-season FIA gala in Paris.
As for team boss Toto Wolff, though, the Frenchman seems enraged.
"Are we perfect? No," Todt said. "That's why we take another look at our decisions."
But he insists that claims race director Michael Masi "robbed" Hamilton of his record eighth drivers' world championship were a step too far.
"The president of the Lyon football club is not allowed at ten games because he spoke badly about a referee," said Todt.
"Maybe we've let too much go in the past. On the one hand, there should be a dialogue between the FIA, drivers, teams and rights holders, but this openness should not be directed against us."
Wolff, though, is evidently unapologetic, joining Hamilton in his boycott of Thursday's FIA gala and refusing even to send the constructors' title-winning car for a photoshoot.
He also said pushing ahead with an appeal against Masi's decision in Abu Dhabi would have been pointless because "the FIA wouldn't admit its own mistakes".
"They would have been both defendant and judge at the same time. It would be a powerless feeling again, just like on Sunday in the last lap.
"But a civil court would have proven us right," the Austrian insists.
"It will take a long time to digest that, and we'll probably never quite get over it," Wolff said.
He clarified, however, that Mercedes' gripe about Abu Dhabi should not detract from Red Bull and Verstappen's celebrations.
"We don't want to waste a bad word about Max, Horner or Marko," said Wolff. "They gave us an incredible fight and deserve the title.
"We are sorry if this aftermath cast a shadow over Max's world championship."
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They seek him here, they seek him there..lalala and so on.
Just where is, our dedicated follower of fashion...!!!
#whereislewis
thumbs up for that comment
You seem to be showing an unhealthy interest in Hammy’s whearabouts for a Maxi fan. How are you going to cope without him. I think you may be batting for both sides.
shamilton spotted on wickes trade pro ad on the telly
Had to google it but spot on, hes moonlighting as a tradesperson it would seem, however the only thing hes sawing in half is his tainted reputation at the moment
https://www.wickes.co.uk/trade/welcome
reputation went down the swanny real quick after the fashion show whats it debacle
Spot on, i had to google it , but looks like hes already given up on f1 and is doing adverts
https://www.wickes.co.uk/trade/welcome
I understand that Toto would be passionate in the moment but his behaviour was disgraceful during and after the race and he should of been fined for his antics I have been F1 fan 10 years I've never seen someone show less class than Toto last race weekend
I’m old enough to remember James Hunt and Colin chapman had his moments.
Times have changed though like Hunt nowdays would never be allowed to smoke and drink like he did chapman can't really say to much maybe it's pc now but even so Wolff went over the line multiple times this season Horner too but Toto Wolff showed poor character
".....there should be a dialogue between the FIA, drivers, teams and rights holders, but this openness should not be directed against us."
The FIA and F1 is EXACTLY where the vitriol should be directed. The Abu Dhabi finale was a disaster. IF a red flag had been displayed and IF they didn't have a ridiculous pit lane procedure allowing maintenance during the stoppage we would have had a proper dice in a 5 lap go. VER would still have had a well-deserved tire advantage and probably won the race, but everyone could do the customary "wait 'til next year" and gotten whacko at the banquet.
ROR with a red flag all drivers are allowed to switch tyres. Does some know if HAM ran out of soft tyres?
"IF they didn't have a ridiculous pit lane procedure allowing maintenance during the stoppage..."
The arcane red flag pitlane rule was referenced in my post. Teams should not be allowed to maintain cars during red flag. VER would have most likely won the race in a 5 lap shootout. But shoulda', coulda', woulda's are cheap.
Exactly so. You Euro types may well mock NASCAR, but at least there, if a red flag stops the race, the team cannot so much as touch the car, other than to remove the window net to allow the driver to get out. Period. Had Masi called a red flag, it would have been yet another hand on the scale in favor of Sir Baby Lewie.
You seem to be showing an unhealthy interest in Hammy’s whearabouts for a Maxi fan. How are you going to cope without him. I think you may be batting for both sides.
Sorry, somehow you got stroppy’s reply, but re your post if hammy finds out and retires from f1 he may come over an whip your asses.
All ready fia are breaking rules by siding with mercedes and not fining Hamilton & wolf for not attending the fia presentation,,, come on.
yeah fine them and a grid demotion in the next race.put manners on them
Yeah And a good spanking.
He'll enjoy that
That was Moseley, no?
Max Mosley
They’ve had plenty of practice in the last few days. Just what has that got to do with motor racing.
It’ all just corporate pr.
To really old racer, as a new comer to gp fan club could you answer a question for me,, why was mercedes "spicy" engine so fast and why didn't Bottas have a spicy engine. Thanks.
My era was about micrometers and calipers. CAD/CAM and AI are way above my pay grade. I do know that every part is built to a specific tolerance and if you match the engine parts with ideal tolerances you get more power. I do know that occasionally a team will find a tiny tweak that improves performance. Also, a new engine is just plain better than an old engine. Why HAM and not BOT? The #1 driver always gets the best stuff.
My opinion is that much of what we read and hear is hype by one or another team to gain a psychological advantage.
To reallyoldracer,, many thanks know what you mean maybe mercedes got a few tweeks no else knows about. Keep commenting.
There is no doubt that Lewis was robbed of his 8th title and Mercedes was right in protesting the race results. This whole affair has cast a lasting shadow on F1 and it will definitely affect my interest in continuing to watch future events.
for every half hearted fan like you there will be many,more to replace you after Max s win.hurrah max the man
Perish the thaught their all like you and not true Maxi fans like me
Ham is just a cry baby along with wolff when they dont win they sulk move on get over yourself
money cant buy love or respect
IMO the FIA has been bringing motorsport into problems and disrespect for years, was called Ferrari International Rescue for years..... by most of the fans of what used to be a sport( now just a business ) it needs something new to take over to moderate all classes , start again without any of the present old boys club being in it....
Quite right, like Ferrari having a race cancelled to stop Fords Shelby Cobras beating them.
I couldn't agree more.
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