Why the FIA's review of the incident in Abu Dhabi is a joke

A comical finale for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. What we're going to talk about today is that the timing of the FIA's investigation into the incident and the final release of the findings is truly intriguing.

So what exactly is the survey about?

Well, it will basically look at the use of safety vehicles and how it is deployed and evacuated. The investigation will be led by Peter Bayer, FIA's secretary-general in charge of racing. The investigation was confirmed a few days after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, however, the first meeting with Toto Wolff was held only a few weeks ago.

On 19 January, yesterday, Bayer chaired a meeting of the FIA Sports Advisory Committee, which was attended by the race directors of all F1 teams to discuss the use of safety cars. A similar discussion is then expected with all drivers, including Hamilton. The topics discussed at these meetings may vary, ranging from the deployment of safety vehicles in Abu Dhabi to the consistency of the fully applicable rules last season.

Bayer will then submit his report to the F1 Committee in February, and it is surprising that the report will not be released until March 18, the day before the start of the Bahraini season! Don't you think the reasons behind the selection of this date are a bit complicated, of course, Xiaobian does not want to think too darkly about some organizations. First of all, why can't the new FIA president, Ben Surayem, publish it as soon as he receives it, and what are they waiting for? Mercedes and Hamilton in particular want clarity. Why does the FIA think the contents and conclusions of the investigation report are announced the day before the season opener? In my opinion, they decided on this date for two reasons, and unfortunately, both of them are very synchronized.

Why spend so long investigating?

The first is Netflix. Drive to Live Is Thriving Around the World, I personally hate the series, I don't find it funny, I think the novelty has disappeared. I think it's very similar to the decision that led to this, and it's to give Netflix a reason to stay on and keep making Season 4 of Drive to Live. The more drama and controversy the sport provokes, the stronger the raison d'être. Lando Norris said after the Abu Dhabi game that it was "an event created for ratings" and I think so. A major decision was announced 24 hours before the opening battle of F1 under the new rules, is there a need for more stories in front of the camera? No, that's enough to catch everyone's eye.

Another reason is that they want it all to end. And perhaps time is the best weapon to let the discord inside and outside the paddock disappear completely, and the FIA seems to be using delaying tactics, and when the media, fans and teams pay less attention to the incident, it seems more acceptable, regardless of the conclusions of the investigation report.

Stay or go

During Michael Massey's tenure, I couldn't see the way Hamilton would stay. Is it time for F1 to say goodbye to Michael Masi, or to opt for the sport's most successful driver to walk away?

This can lead to many other problems. How to face these changes 48 hours before the game, especially since the new season is running under a whole new set of rules.