The new Formula One season is nearly here but Max Verstappen’s controversial 2021 victory over Lewis Hamilton is still hanging over the sport as the FIA are yet to publish their investigation into the final-day drama
Formula One’s travelling corps has landed in Bahrain for a new season with one major question from the last still hanging in the air.
Will the FIA publish their investigation into the final-day drama that saw Lewis Hamilton controversially miss out on a record eighth title?
Despite launching the inquiry in December and sacking race director Michael Masi, the FIA have yet to make their findings public.
Whether finally to do so is being discussed in the tiny Gulf kingdom at a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council this week.
The sport’s integrity is at stake, and the promise of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the new president of the governing body, to usher in greater transparency is also under scrutiny.
Although fan outrage at the last-lap controversy makes it almost impossible to keep the whole investigation hidden, some F1 insiders believe the report will be redacted to shield the FIA from blame over the events that saw Max Verstappen triumph. A decision is expected tomorrow.
Verstappen is all set to flourish this season after taking glory in Abu Dhabi, according to Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel, who won four consecutive titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013.
