This weekend, the Formula 1 circus will be in full swing for the final time this season, competing for the big prize in Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen has already secured the world title and Red Bull has claimed the constructors’ title, but second place in the constructors’ standings is still up for grabs.
Both Mercedes and Ferrari are vying for the runner-up position in the constructors’ classification. Toto Wolff, the CEO of Mercedes, is in a favorable position with a four-point lead. He anticipates a fair battle between the two teams in the United Arab Emirates. Wolff’s comments suggest a critique of the former FIA competition director Michael Masi, who made controversial decisions during the 2021 Abu Dhabi race.
After a crash by Nicholas Latifi, Masi’s decision to remove stragglers and give the leaders another racing lap resulted in a controversial ending to the race, causing strong backlash and ultimately leading to Masi’s dismissal. Despite an investigation concluding that “human error” caused the situation, the final result could not be changed.
In other news, Mick Schumacher, son of legendary driver Michael Schumacher, will be racing for the Alpine Hypercar Team in the WEC championship next season. Schumacher will also continue as a reserve driver for Mercedes in F1. Previously deemed too light for Formula 1, Schumacher had been racing with Haas Racing, where he became champion in Formula 2 and Formula 3.