Sports roundup

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, is under extreme scrutiny in the aftermath of the controversial end to the 2021 world championship in Abu Dhabi last month.

The management of the sport’s rules during the safety-car period that ultimately decided the drivers’ title in Max Verstappen’s favour has focused a deeper discontent that already loitered beneath the surface of the sport.

F1 teams and drivers were dismayed by the events at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after a season in which many have complained about the inconsistency of the FIA’s decision making.

Many felt the rules were not followed correctly at Yas Marina. The key concern is whether the race director, Michael Masi correctly followed the FIA’s rules in the operation of the safety car and the restarting of the race for one final shootout lap. Concern focuses on two areas:

His decision to allow only some of the lapped cars to overtake - the five between Hamilton and Verstappen - and not the others, for example the two between Verstappen and third-placed Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. The timing of the end of the safety-car period.

Both questions, and those over the decision of the stewards to reject Mercedes’ protest against Masi’s decisions, will be debated for years to come.

To Lewis Hamilton’s and Mercedes’ credit, they were quick to congratulate Max Verstappen after winning the Formula 1 title… a fantastic example to sportsmen and women out there on how to handle defeat.

Upcoming events in January include: Football: Africa Cup of Nations, 9 January-6 February 2022, Cameroon Tennis: 2022 Australian Open tennis grand slam, 17-30 January 2022, Melbourne, Australia Winter X Games Aspen 2022, 21-23 January 2022, Colorado, US