For me, the main question is what is the role of the race director? (Too many words)

I had understood his role was supposed to be that of an impartial referee, trying to ensure the safety of the participants in the event of an incident, and otherwise ensuring that the racing was conducted within the rules, applying those rules fairly and consistently.

Sometimes the race director is required to give a view on where a particular incident falls within those rules, and it's subjective and requires judgement. In those situations, there will often be debate over whether it was the right call or not.

Yesterday, there was no subjectivity when looking at the rules in relation to ending the safety car period, particularly when looking at the precedent set through many years of F1. The options available under the rules were, end the safety car with a lap to go and have a one lap race with unlapped cars in position, or let cars un lap and finish under the safety car.

Really, the only option was the second, because that's what would have happened in any other race in the same situation, or at any point in any other race if not at the very end.

Going back to the original question of what the role of the race director is, if it's to ensure fair competition within the rules, how can taking a course of action that:

1. Isn't consistent with the rules as written; and
2. Isn't consistent with the common practice that would be applied at any other time in any other race including this one

be correct?

Red Bull always say they don't want races decided in the stewards room, but this one was when Masi intervened and artificially created a one lap race when the rules didn't allow him to do so.

This goes beyond just the race yesterday, if this is how it is to be going forward, another team/driver will lose out next time round and F1 just becomes a joke.

Posted By: SimonOTBC on December 13th 2021 at 10:07:50

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