[ad_1]
The series’ chief executive, Stefano Domenicali, said the controversial conclusion of last year’s World Championship had not damaged Formula 1’s reputation or popularity.
According to F1 figures, an average of 107 million people watched last year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi. However, when the championship’s fortunes were changed by a controversial restart, the title-deciding game ended in acrimonious fashion, with the series’ governing body later admitting its arrangement violated the rules.
Four days on, Mercedes drops bid to appeal result Lewis Hamilton His eighth world title, which confirmed Max Verstappen’s title. But the impact of the game lasted for months.
The FIA has made wide-ranging changes to the way the Grand Prix is run, not the least of which is the ouster of F1 race director Michael Massey.it Published a report detailing the mistakes Masi made, he subsequently left the sport’s governing body.He with Nicholas Latifi – whose crash sparked a safety car period before the restart – both received abusive social media messages, including death threats.
Despite the controversy over the end of last year’s season, Domenicali believes F1’s reputation is intact.
“In terms of image, it’s like having a football World Cup [final] And there was a referee who made a mistake and there was a penalty that wasn’t there, but it was there. So I don’t think it’s going to damage the reputation, damage the solidity of the championship, because that’s what can happen.
“Honestly, what I see is the fact that the FIA takes this seriously and they want to change it and improve the system. But at the end of the day, the performance of everyone involved in F1 is related to his personal ability or personal skill or personal good Decisions or personal mistakes. That will always be in every sport.”
Domenicali made it clear that, as the FIA report found, there was no evidence of irregularities in Massi’s decision.
Advertisement | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“I can do it because otherwise I wouldn’t be in this position, I would never think someone did something on purpose against someone. It’s something I can’t accept because if I had a little doubt about it, I would won’t be here.
“You can have mistakes, yes, 100 per cent. You can say mistakes, the team or the drivers, everyone can do it. But I don’t want to judge maybe because what I personally think has happened has damaged F1’s reputation.”
Domenicali believes that F1’s growing popularity shows that the series has weathered the storm facing the end of 2021.
“If you look [at] What’s our follow-up this year, it’s huge,’ he said. “
He added that event promoters have facilitated huge sales for the upcoming event. “From Belgium to the end, all the grands prix were sold out,” Domenicali said. “So a lot of people have already booked tickets for the upcoming ones.
“So Belgium will be over 120,000 people a day; Zandvoort, as you can imagine, the same; Monza sold over 250,000 tickets; Singapore is sold out, which is truly a reserve. So I really hope we can have a great game and the second phase of the season. “
Verstappen ahead of closest rivals Charles Leclerc With an 80-point lead with nine games remaining, Domenicali admits the prospect of this year’s title race being decided in the final game looks slim.
“From a business point of view, I would like to see another season where you’ll arrive on the last lap of the last race – maybe there will be fewer points of confrontation like that – because that’s going to be great, it’s going to be great.
“[Yes] 80 points, a lot. But in F1, also from my previous experience, you have to say ‘never say never’. “
Advertisement | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Before becoming F1 CEO, Domenicali spent decades at Ferrari, eventually rising to team principal.when he was on the team Kimi Raikkonen achieve One of the biggest upsets in F1 history win the championship.
“Remember back in 2007, two races left, we were 17 points behind and Kimi was able to win the title in Brazil, which no one expected. I know it’s a big number, but I don’t understand why Ferrari should [not get] Back in the fight with Red Bull again.
“Red Bull is a very strong team and Mercedes will grow. But really the only thing I can say – because I can’t comment on my position, as you understand – they shouldn’t give up at the last minute “Because we’re going to have a lot of surprises, I’m sure, in the second half of the season, in every way. So bugs, reliability, weather, who knows?”
2022 F1 season
[ad_2]
Source link