Image source BBC
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion of Formula One (F1), was among the drivers who expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision-making process at the Australian Grand Prix.
The race had to be halted three times due to various incidents on the track, which resulted in widespread confusion and frustration among the drivers.
Despite Verstappen’s dominant performance in Melbourne, he was critical of the race’s overall management, deeming it to be a chaotic affair.
He directed his criticism towards the FIA, the governing body responsible for overseeing the sport, holding them accountable for the race’s stoppages.
Verstappen’s victory was marred by the numerous red-flag stoppages, which not only disrupted the flow of the race but also led to the event concluding behind the safety car.
The second red flag, which occurred with only four laps remaining, led to a standing restart that resulted in multiple incidents on the track, prompting another stoppage and a further 30-minute delay before the race could finally be concluded.
Max Verstappen expressed his delight at winning the race, but he also voiced his discontent about the chaotic finish. He was particularly critical of the decision to implement a red flag, which left many drivers confused.
Verstappen believed that if a safety car had been used instead, followed by a normal rolling start, the shunts could have been avoided, resulting in a more conventional finish.
The incident also prompted other drivers to speak out, including Lando Norris of McLaren. He suggested that those in charge of making decisions were not fully aware of the conditions inside the car, and the red flag was simply used to make the race more exciting.
George Russell of Mercedes, who had initially taken the lead from Verstappen but then found himself at a disadvantage after the first red flag, also criticized the FIA.
He believed that the red flag was unnecessary, and that some of the decisions made by the FIA were not entirely clear.
Overall, the drivers felt that the multiple stoppages disrupted the flow of the race and created unnecessary confusion, with many questioning the decision-making process employed by the FIA. They hoped to address these issues and seek greater clarity during discussions at the next race in Baku.
