MAX VERSTAPPEN’S F1 world title win should NOT be overturned, insists Karun Chandhok.
The FIA’s decision to axe Michael Masi as race director effectively admits that the Aussie made a costly error that cost Lewis Hamilton the title.
But analyst and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok believes that ‘too many variables’ were at play to justify handing Verstappen’s championship over to Hamilton.
He told Sky Sports: “I don’t believe the result should be overturned,.
“I think there are too many variables involved in that process just to clearly say ‘if the lapped cars had been left there, Lewis would have 100 per cent won’.
“I don’t think you can definitively say that. Even Mercedes would definitively not be able to say that. So I don’t think the result can be overturned.”
The issue stemmed from Masi’s call to allow Verstappen to unlap himself behind the safety car – leaving Hamilton a sitting duck on old tyres.
New FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem has since announced structural changes that include a virtual race control room being deployed as part of a ‘new race management team’ that replaces Masi’s old role.
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Speaking at today’s Mercedes car launch, team principal Toto Wolff appeared pleased with the outcome.
The Austrian, who was left incensed by Masi in Abu Dhabi, said: “I think it’s very encouraging to see that action has been taken. There is a much-more robust structure now.
“The FIA has stated that there will be a virtual Race Control Room with state of the art technology.
“And the new guys are going to be in place for the Barcelona test and I think the right steps. It is a new era for the sport.”
At the launch, Hamilton finally broke his silence on retirement rumours, insisting that he is excited ahead of the new season.
He said: “I never, ever said that I was going to stop. I love doing what I do, and it is such a privilege working with this large group of people.
“You really feel like you’re part of a team and part of a family, working towards that common goal. There’s no feeling quite like it.
“But yeah… it was obviously a difficult time for me, and it was a time where I really needed to take a step back and focus on being present. I had my family all around me, and creating great moments.
“And I eventually got to a point where I decided I was going to be attacking coming into another season, and working with Toto and George [Russell].
