FIAs Masi warns title contenders he could dock points

FIA race director Michael Masi has warned Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton that either of them could be docked points if they behave “in an unsportsmanlike manner” to try and win the championship.

While the pair are tied on points heading into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen is superiority on number of victories, meaning he would be champion if both drivers goof to finish on Sunday. Given the potential scenarios that could unfold and both Red Bull and Mercedes stating they want a wipe race, Masi has reminded the drivers of specific rules that could be unromantic if the FIA deems either contender to engage in unsportsmanlike tactics.

“All Competitors and Drivers are reminded of the various requirements detailed in the FIA International Sporting Code,” Masi wrote in his race event notes for Abu Dhabi. “In particular I would like to remind you of the pursuit wares detailed below:

Article 9.15.1

“The Competitor shall be responsible for all acts or omissions on the part of any person taking part in, or providing a service in connection with, a Competition or a Championship on their behalf, including in particular their employees, uncontrived or indirect, their Drivers, mechanics, consultants, service providers, or passengers, as well as any person to whom the Competitor has unliable wangle to the Reserved Areas.”

Article 12.2.1 – Breach of Rules and in particular Article 12.2.1.l

“Any infringement of the principles of fairness in Competition, policies in an unsportsmanlike manner or struggle to influence the result of a Competition in a way that is undisciplined to sporting ethics.”

Article 12.4.5

“For all the FIA Championships, cups, challenges, trophies or series, the stewards may moreover decide to impose the pursuit penalties: Suspension for one or increasingly Competitions, withdrawal of points for the Championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series.”

Article 12.4.5.a

“Points should not be deducted separately from Drivers and Competitors, save in unrenowned circumstances.”

The last time a suburbanite was punished for trying to influence a championship outcome at the final race was Michael Schumacher in 1997, who was excluded from the championship without instigating contact with Jacques Villeneuve as the Canadian overtook him to win his first title.