Race director Masi sends out collision warning ahead of F1 title showdown

Formula One drivers could confront suspension or lose every all points for driving in an unsportsmanlike way, race director Michael Masi has cautioned ahead of Sunday’s title-deciding fight at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton, 36, and his 24-year-old Red Bull rival Max Verstappen head into the floodlit finale at the Yas Marina track level on focuses yet Verstappen ahead 9-8 on successes, which would make him champion if both neglect to score.

The duo have impacted three times this season, including at the last race in Saudi Arabia, raising worries about an exhilarating season finishing with a crash.

Although, Masi sent an unmistakable admonition that such a situation could bring about extreme results as he illustrated the articles of the game’s International Sporting Code (ISC) identifying with “unsportsmanlike” lead.

“In particular I would like to remind you of the following articles detailed below,” the Australian said in his event notes on Thursday.

He singled out Article 12.2.1l which manages “any infringement of the principles of fairness in competition, behaviour in an unsportsmanlike manner or attempt to influence the result of a competition in a way that is contrary to sporting ethics.”

Masi additionally referenced Article 12.4.5 which covers punishments stewards could force including “suspension for at least one contests, withdrawal of focuses for the title, cup, challenge, prize, series.”

“I think that’s fair that they do it,” Hamilton, sitting alongside Verstappen, told reporters via videoconference from Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Hopefully, they won’t need to be used and we have a great race and we move forwards.”

Formula One titles have been settled by crashes previously, most outstandingly between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1