What a totally unsatisfactory way to end a GP and decide the World Championship. Thanks FIA
Masi and his stewards have been making up the rules for quite a few races now, but the overtake of only the 5 lapped cars between LH and MV is shocking. Also, being pedantic, MV crept ahead of LH whilst behind the safety car. Another mistake not penalising if they are sticking rigidly to the rule book although extremely harsh.
Before Latifi's crash, Lewis had a healthy lead that he was in no way likely to relinquish. Enter the safety car and suddenly his lead is down to a few seconds, still enough. Then Masi changes his previous declaration that the lapped cars can't overtake the safety car after "discussion" with Red Bull. Next thing MV is alongside Lewis on fresh tyres and LH can't do a thing about it.
If I were Mercedes I'd want to know the reason why the decision to unlap only 5 cars was made, why
all lapped cars weren't afforded the official rule and why MV wasn't penalised for going ahead of LH whilst behind the SC, albeit by a few inches. It's still against the rulebook.
Masi should fall on his sword tonight. The officiating of the rules has been a shambles under his jurisdiction and some very strange rulings have been made.
Finally, I don't begrudge MV his first WC title. He is an immensely talented and quick driver. But today was a travesty and LH was robbed whichever way you view today race.
MV may have the title, but proper fans know who the real winner was.