Verdict on Verstappen-Hamilton incident pushed back to Friday

Close your eyes and imagine a video refereeing decision – the famous VAR in football for example – which would take days. Now open your eyes and dream no more: for the Formula 1 did it!

Gathered in meetings this Thursday at the Losail circuit, which is hosting the first Qatar Grand Prix in history, the stewards of the last São Paulo Grand Prix, present via videoconference, and representatives of Mercedes et Red Bull yet debated for hours!

The meeting, which should allow the stewards to determine whether the Mercedes team can exercise its right of review as it requested earlier this week, began at 17:00 p.m. local time (15:00 p.m. in France), and concluded around 21:00 p.m. (19:00 p.m. in France).

Strong shots showing the onboard camera of Max Verstappen during his muscular duel with Lewis Hamilton on the 48th lap of the last Grand Prix, the seven-time champions believe they have new evidence allowing them to open an investigation into the Red Bull driver's virile defense. Hence their decision to request a review of the decision of the Interlagos commissioners. Or rather their non-action because no investigation had been opened in Brazil. 

Max vs. Lewis ⚔️

Every angle on their Lap 48 battle 👀 #BrazilGP (I.e. #F1 pic.twitter.com/9NLHajCiPv

- Formula 1 (@ F1) November 16, 2021

The length of the discussions clearly shows that the question is not easy for the stewards to decide. Remember that this is only a first step. The commissioners must in fact choose whether the right of reconsideration is admissible. If they believe that this is not the case, the matter remains there.

Otherwise, if the stewards think that the famous “Right of review” detailed in article 14 of the FIA ​​international sporting code is valid, then a 2nd stage will open: the stewards and team representatives will will meet again before deciding whether or not Verstappen's maneuver deserves a penalty.

It is therefore entirely possible that the stewards will grant the right of review to Mercedes, without giving the Red Bull driver the slightest sanction.

Finally, remember that the commissioners of the Qatar Grand Prix are not involved in this entire process. Only those from Brazil are concerned, namely Tim Mayer, Matteo Perini, Vitantonio Liuzzi, and Robert Moreno. However, they are not present in the Gulf this weekend, hence the need to find a time slot that suits all parties involved, spread over different time slots (Brazil, USA, Europe, and Qatar).

Suffice to say that we have not yet finished with this affair, which could well create a dangerous precedent for sport. Clearly, F1 will never stop surprising us!