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Formula 1’s governing body made changes to safety car rules on Tuesday to avoid a repeat of the controversy that erupted after last year’s title race in Abu Dhabi.
Race director Michael Massey, who was replaced last month, changed the procedure in the final laps of Yas Marina, a move that saw Red Bull’s Max Verstappen overtake Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton for the title.
Otherwise Hamilton would have a record eighth title.
Governing the FIA’s revised version of the 2022 sporting rules makes it clear that “all”, rather than the more vague “any”, lapped cars must untie themselves before restarting.
It was only after the pick-up car between Verstappen and then-leading Hamilton went off the lap that Massey allowed the race to resume.
That left enough time for the final lap to see the Dutchman put on new tires and be able to pass his championship rival.
Marcy has since been replaced by two officials, Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who will share the job of race director as part of a wider restructuring of the refereeing process .
They will be assisted by FIA loyalist Herbie Brash, who will return as a permanent senior adviser, retiring in 2016 after 50 years in the sport. Brash was previously an assistant to the late race director Charlie Whiting.
The new season starts this weekend in Bahrain.
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