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Michael Masi’s ‘reminder’ ahead of the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that options as severe as points deductions and race bans exist in Formula 1’s regulations was no coincidence.
As much as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton insist it’s not on their minds, their rate of contact this year is such that the prospect of another collision in the finale is far from impossible.
But now the stakes are much higher. One title contender could take the other out, get a normal level of in-race penalty, and still score enough points to become champion. And that creates a dilemma…
Here are our writers’ thoughts:
Set penalties are flawed in the real world
Edd Straw
It’s easy to agree that penalties must always be consistent and reflect the nature of the incident rather than the outcome, but that doesn’t always work in the real world.
If you have a set tariff for a sporting penalty, it means you can effectively choose to ‘pay’ for an outcome if you feel that there will be a net gain. That’s the problem.
When it comes down to a title decider, the equation is simple – especially in this case. Whoever finishes ahead, provided they are in the points in the case of Hamilton, will be champion. If neither scores, Verstappen will be champion. Both – not just Verstappen – could potentially benefit from causing an accident that puts one or both out of the race.
That’s why this isn’t just about Verstappen, it’s about underlining that you can’t create an incident safe in the knowledge that you’ll gain more than you lose. And it’s necessary for the final race because, for the first time, the championship battle is a zero-sum game with the trade-offs therefore straightforward.
That’s why it’s necessary and logical to ensure that there is a penalty available if required – as indeed the International Sporting Code does lay out, meaning it’s nothing more than underlining a course of action that is already available to stewards.
Hopefully, it won’t come to that, but by laying down the law before the weekend even starts, it reminds everyone involved in this championship what the potential consequences are of a controversial collision.
Guaranteed to be divisive if it happens
Scott Mitchell
I’m not sure how I feel about it. Of course, now the integrity of the championship is on the line. So the FIA has moved to stress the importance of that.
And we can infer the reason why is the idea of intentional foul play when one race will decide everything.
One argument that does make some sense is that the severity of an incident is impacted by someone doing something unfair with the sole purpose of it winning them the title.
Then it becomes a different crime and punishment. So, what Hamilton and Verstappen did at Silverstone and Monza respectively to earn their punishments was one thing. But if it was determined they’d done either of those things with the express intent of taking out the other driver, then it would be viewed differently.
How the FIA would determine that though…that’s where it gets really sketchy. And if there was an exact repeat of either incident from Silverstone or Monza – would either of those merit a points deduction? I really don’t know.
If it comes to a title-deciding collision then it’s going to be a really divisive conclusion anyway. But a points deduction would undoubtedly create an even greater mess.
If it happens, it needs to be resolved quickly
Gary Anderson
First of all, I would be very disappointed if the championship is decided by any sort of further incident involving either of the championship contenders, their team-mates or any other associated team or driver.
If it does happen then yes the driver and or team involved should be penalised and points deducted retrospectively if required. But the big problem with that is who decides on who is responsible for the indiscretion and who decides on the penalty?
If it is an associated team then the penalty for that team should be draconian and at least drop it a position in the constructors’ championship.
As we have seen this season at a minimum these decisions do not always make sense to everyone. Yes there will be driver’s supporters that will never be happy with their driver getting a penalty but if I was in charge I would increase the stewards by at least a couple more experienced people and to an odd number minimum.
That way you would have more input if a situation arises and decisions need to be made.
Whatever the outcome these decisions need to be made before the chequered flag falls. If that is not possible then a maximum of one hour after the flag falls. The last thing required is that it all goes to appeal and drags on for weeks in not months.
Transgressors should expect a severe penalty
Mark Hughes
There’s a distinction to be made between the judgement of any incident and the penalty. The judgement of any incident should be the same, as in the same parameters of judgement should be applied and should be based on whatever sporting regulations have been broken and not based upon the outcome.
But given the potential significance of an incident in a title finale, neither party should be surprised if the penalty for any transgression is severe.
It’s fair to punish outcome and intent
Matt Beer
There’s a very valid complaint that penalties in motorsport are too often based on an outcome rather than action or intent. A relatively innocuous move that clips a rival into a roll might get a huge penalty because of the violent outcome. A piece of hideous weaving in a braking area might go unnoticed and unpunished because the victim reacts fast enough to avoid an accident.
A title-settling collision is inarguably a bigger deal than a collision at a different point in a championship fight. Yes, you could look back and say points lost at Silverstone or Monza decided the title outcome. But when Verstappen and Hamilton made contact in those races, neither knew for sure that doing so would settle the championship. They were fighting in the moment.
In a title decider, the moment is what the entire year has been adding up to. Everyone is aware of what each points outcome would mean, and that there are no more chances to make up for a lost score afterwards. This is it. And that fact cannot fail to be in the mind of anyone making a deliberately dodgy move on Sunday…
And yet, I could also make exactly the opposite case too. I didn’t find anything particularly outrageous in Verstappen’s driving in Brazil or Saudi Arabia because I just kept thinking ‘it’s crunch point in the championship, of course, he’s got to fight even harder and give up even less willingly’. Neither driver can afford to sit behind the other on Sunday, or to defend only meekly if their rival attacks.
But maybe it’s just right that the stakes are higher on all sides. The drivers will race even harder. The stewards will be harsher. It all matters too much not to, in both cases. All the more incentive to find the right line between never giving up, and keeping it on the tightrope of clean racing.
