As one of the closest Formula One Drivers World Championship battles approaches its final two rounds, fans hope that the title is decided on the track, not in a stewards’ room following another protest. But there’s concern that’s what might happen, and here’s why.
The 2021 Formula One season has two contrasting sides to it. On the good side are the many brilliant on-track duals between the two championship contenders, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. However, there is also a negative side too. Their respective team bosses, Christian Horner and Toto Wolff have engaged in a season-long feud with claims and counterclaims about the legality of the opposition’s car and who is responsible for various on-track incidents.
The battle for this season’s driver’s title between Hamilton and Verstappen has been fascinating viewing all season. It has been great for Formula One as the spectacular racing between the two drivers has generated new fans and increased interest in the sport. And it would be a shame to see the title decided by any other reason than the best driver being victorious.
Over recent races, off-track drama and the increasing feud between the rival teams have generated as many headlines as the on-track action. Most of the warring words have been around the legality of the Mercedes car and, in particular, the rear wing. Red Bull and Christian Horner believe Mercedes’s rear wing DRS system is illegal and, as such, helps to generate more drag along the straights, which results in higher top speeds. In response, Mercedes and Toto Wolff point out that their car and rear wing have passed all the necessary FIA checks. However, the Mercedes rear wing did fail an FIA check after qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix, which resulted in Lewis Hamilton being disqualified from qualifying and relegated from the pole to the back of the grid for the sprint race.
Another dispute that emerged during the running of the Brazilian GP was whether Max Verstappen should have been given a penalty for his overaggressive driving when defending the lead from Lewis Hamilton. This resulted in an appeal by Mercedes after the race to get a penalty applied against Verstappen–a penalty that might have changed the race result. The appeal was rejected, though, and the result decided on the track stood.
However, it was yet another in a long list of controversies and further increased the tension between the two teams.
After 20 races of the 2021 season, Verstappen leads Hamilton by only eight points with two remaining battles. The two drivers have combined for 16 victories so so far, and have finished 1-2 in one order or the other in 12 of the 20 races.
Both drivers have huge and passionate fan bases. That said, no matter which driver you support, everyone agrees that this battle must be decided on the track, not by the biggest moaner. It would be a travesty if the outcome of the Drivers world title came down to a points penalty or disqualification caused by the warring words and complaints made by one of the team bosses.
Of course, all sporting, technical, and safety rules must be adhered to. If not, suitable punishments should follow. However, over recent weekends the fractious atmosphere and constant sniping from Horner and Wolff have cast a shadow over the sport. What’s more, it has taken some of the focus and shine away from the real two stars of the show, Hamilton and Verstappen.
Let’s hope from this point on that we see no penalties that affect the grid or race results and that we have no complaints or protests from either team. As the old saying goes, “Let best man win.”
