Vettel defends Michael Masi and says F1 must choose between sport and show

“Obviously it’s not the easiest sometimes to be in the shoes of the referee or Michael’s shoes, but I think he’s done a great job. Especially after filling in after Charlie passed away so suddenly. Really he’s been very, very focused and determined to do a good job.

“So I don’t know what is his future but I hope he sticks around because I think overall he did a very, very good job. You know, I think there’s a lot of controversy for the last race, but if you look at the bigger picture, he’s done really well.”

His team-mate was much more critical in his words reviewing the incident.

Stroll was in the other half of the pack that remained lapped and unable to un-lap themselves prior to the race restarting.

The Canadian had swapped to fresh tyres anticipating a normal restart procedure but was denied the chance to improve his position in the final laps.

“My opinion is that it’s ridiculous that we didn’t go back racing the way that we should have gone, you can’t change the rules halfway through the end of a race [about] how half the cars they can overtake,” Stroll said. “Unfortunately, I was part of the group the other half of the cars and couldn’t overtake – on brand new, soft tires with [maybe the] opportunity to pass and maybe do something.

“It’s just never been done before, and I think it’s important that we keep rules consistent. I understand it’s, you know, great to go racing and everyone wants to see the last lap of the race and the two you know, drivers fight for the world championship, go head to head with one lap to go but we can’t be making up rules, you know, at the end of a race like that.

“If maybe there was an error or cars didn’t pass soon enough when the safety car came out, or backmarkers weren’t allowed to pass early enough and the consequences were we won’t get a whole lot of racing, well then that’s how it is, those are the rules. The rules have to be consistent.

“In Formula 1, you know, we’ve seen some inconsistency and penalties and decision making and I think this was just like, maybe a little bit too much. It’s important that those things are set in stone.”

Teams are set to be informed of the FIA’s investigation into the ’21 finale next week though the findings won’t be publicised until the first race weekend of the season in Bahrain.

Drivers are meant to be a part of the conversation behind the scenes though there is radio silence currently.

“It’s all been on pause,” Stroll indicated. “That said, I’m sure we’ll touch on it some more as drivers with the FIA and F1 and all that leading up to the first race.”

Vettel was one of the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen that was allowed to un-lap themselves that created the controversial ending.

The four-time champion admitted that he was confused about which of the rules had been applied in the final laps at Yas Marina and that change was needed to prevent a repeat from happening.

“I think the main thing is that we focus on the sport and not so much on the show. I think last year it was always going to be a great finale or great last race because there was one winner and one loser.

“Ideally, you have two winners, but that’s not how the sport is designed or any sport is designed so it wasn’t gonna work.

“Obviously, I was in the race and wondering why we’re not released earlier in order to get the race started again, but I guess there’s a protocol and rules. I think the main thing is that going forward, there’s clarity what’s happening in these sort of situations and no questions asked anymore.”