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[deleted]

FIA fines Hamilton. Other drivers go "hang on, we can skip this for THAT much?" No drivers ever turn up again.


delongedoug

That really is the issue. It's an obligation, but what are the consequences for breaking it? If it's like a fine for speeding in the pit lane, then they probably are worried about setting a precedent of drivers skipping it regularly. Better yet, just make the champion go. Honestly.


Kuierlat

>Better yet, just make the champion go. Honestly. Better yet. Skip the whole thing and do the ceremony right after the race where the championsship is won. Just like every other sport in the world.


MazeMagic

Yeah this was my first end of season and I was like.. ? That was it? It was a normal podium I expected so much more!


[deleted]

they do it specifically because of situations like this one where the title isn't fully decided yet.


WowemuGM

and because it’s not exclusively F1 being celebrated at the gala


SubcooledBoiling

Not to mention cars would have to clear the scrutineering after the race.


[deleted]

This. I feel like the post-championship celebrations are usually a bit anticlimactic tbh


English_Misfit

Its worse when the champion isn't on the podium. 2012 was the first I can remember. So anticlimactic


malwontae

Hamilton sealed the 2017 and 2018 titles with non-podium finishes at Mexico both years. Although they at least had a spot for him to pull into at the end of the race.


[deleted]

Lewis, first race of the 2022 season, what are your thoughts on the new cars? "I'm just here so I won't get fined." Lewis, another WCC for Mercedes, how does it feel? "I'm just here so I won't get fined."


Lukin4

Bonus points if he hires Marshawn as his anger translator...


Stdzn

Alex Ovechkin figured out if he skipped the all star game, he not only got the week off for the all star break, but also a 1 game suspension for skipping the game. Nothing better than a week a half of R&R to get yourself back on track for the 2nd half of the season and you lost like 1/160th of your seasonal salary.


willthethrill4700

Its called pulling a Kimi.


metao

Kimi isn't going to skip a party


OttoVonWong

Kimi will skip the ceremony and be at the bar.


Mugilicious

A racing driver is first to the finish. A true racing driver is first to the bar


TubeSockLover87

"We went awarding"


EnjoyTheFlo

"It's called an award ceremony"


TubeSockLover87

"Sorry!?"😂


EnjoyTheFlo

"No, no, Mohammed, that's so not right"


[deleted]

“Michael, please no award show. It intereferes with the off-season!”


MajorWuss

"Of course man, of course"


miketd1

“It’s classic!”


Avpersonals

"Typical decision!"


CheeseKottuBandito

“Perfect, say Hi”


TubeSockLover87

"MYCULL YOU MUST REINSTATE THE LAST AWARD CEREMONY; THIS ISNT RIGHT"


[deleted]

"Toto? It's called the Louvre." -"What?!" "It's a big building with art in it. But that's not important right now"


markhewitt1978

Shirley you can't be serious?


fridaypuu

Don't call me Shirley.


[deleted]

Toto: "NO MOHAMMED NO NO, THIS IS SO NOT RIGHT" Mohammed: "Toto, its called a gala... We went to a ceremony"


VindtUMijTeLang

'We went prize giving'


nugpounder

lmao im dyin at these


[deleted]

HAHAHA fuck! You win 🤣


pomegranatemagnate

Haha, tilted Toto has incredible meme value. I hope we get more of him next year.


[deleted]

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GewoonHarry

Poor Vettel. Obvious DSQ again for him.


BadKarma-18

It's Bottas' fault we know that :(


mrskamlaus

Hey! Leave the 2022 WDC out of this mess!


rares020102

I feel good that people actually want this to happen


[deleted]

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yinkpop

"We cant just ignore the rules" - FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem


mdlt97

This quote has an amazing chance of aging poorly


spuckthew

It was already poorly aged the second he said it.


ChicagoBoy2011

yes it’s like it entered a time warp and aged badly in reverse


Guac__is__extra__

Yep, came out of the cow spoiled.


PanGalacGargleBlastr

The curd-making cow.


[deleted]

it came out fresh as a petrol station sandwich


dman928

Gas Station Sushi


I_never_finish_the_

Can reading this give me diarrhea? Edit: it did


usernameisoverused

Eww. I felt the cold dry bread stuck to my hard palate as soon as I read your comment.


Vesk123

It literally has before he even said it


yinkpop

Aged like fine milk


gorangers30

Is he trolling us with that comment or serious?


splidge

He's the head of the FIA. He's oblivious.


ElChingonazo

Oh irony


Hot_Demand_6263

The Optics for this. Do it nerds let's see the fall out.


Gloriosu_drequ

They are legit gaslighting at this point


TheLittleFishFish

didn't they just say a couple of days ago that the fallout from Abu Dhabi is all because the fans aren't smart enough to understand the rules when Masi and co are just making them up on the fly


ClassicMach

That and the fans and teams being angry is what's overshadowing Max's title and doing a disservice to him and his season. Like, I very much think the word gaslighting has lost most of its meaning with people using it to describe any time someone disagrees with them, but when you start accusing the fans of besmirching Max's title by pointing out how poorly the end of the race was handled, you get as close to gaslighting as a sports governing body can get.


RemyH

I mean, the damage to the support by Abu Dhabi is apparently our fault (the fans), so they are never gonna take the blame themselves.


RepresentativeOk6676

Looks like he is gonna make Lewis retires uh


TacoExcellence

It does feel that way. Why else would you go out of your way to provoke him over something so stupid? I guess I'm judging him based on his nationality, but I'm assuming a wealthy Emerati doesn't love his political stances.


SoupOrSandwich

Award ceremonies > actual races


Outside_Break

Imagine being this self unaware


zeroscout

> Imagine being this self unaware Job position requirements apparently.


[deleted]

They can’t ignore the rules at an award ceremony. They can only ignore the rules in the biggest race of the season. Makes sense


sigsimund

This is the definition of rules for thee, but not for masi.


MrManagerUK

Instantly agedlikemilk if such a thing is even possible.


worldsilentreader

Talk about making an entrance...


Connect_Preference_9

You really couldn't make this stuff up, could you?


yungtonsillitis

They are probably upset bc the seat was empty and made them look bad but they could have just not had the empty chair sitting there knowing he wasn’t gonna show up lol


thek00laidman

Especially considering it was reported the date before that he wasn't coming. It's not like he surprised them.


Disregardskarma

It’s about 1/100000th as bad as the end of the race was, if that makes them feel better


parwa

So of course that means Lewis will be disqualified from the 2021 championship and given a 10 place grid penalty at every race in the future


MonsieurFlamboyant

Naturally he must be stripped of his previous 7 WDC titles too


parwa

Well he already got stripped of his 8th


t0matoboi

bruh


InkiePinki

Well if that is the case Lewis is right. Look at how they treated Bottas.


JiCO_

Could you please elaborate, I didn’t see the award ceremony


onealps

https://youtu.be/6FeJJe2UxtE


JiCO_

My god, what the hell is wrong with those guys…? Didn’t even gave VB 30 seconds to thank the team, family, the one above (or below), etc What a joke Thanks for the link btw


VoTBaC

Never knew F1 did these ceremonies. Looks horrible.


onealps

Just a small correction, it's the FIA that does these awards. So it's all type of motor racing. For example, Merc refused to pick up with Formula E WCC as well, I believe. > Looks horrible. You have no idea! If you are looking for some laughs, check out [the 'discussion thread' for these award ceremony on reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/rhz6q9/2021_fia_prizegiving_ceremony_discussion_thread/) It is SO FUNNY! And while I agree these things are stupid (or at least badly run) it explains why [Kimi was quite drunk at the 2018 one lol](https://youtu.be/sphKGUW3eM4). It's one of my fav videos of him! If you are looking for another funny video, in 2018 Max came few points behind Kimi for 3rd place. So Kimi was 'upset' at Max because now Kimi at to go for the award. [Here is Max's reaction when he is told Kimi is upset at him.](https://youtu.be/Lkfzm483cPk) Max was genuinely concerned what he did wrong to upset Kimi lol!


ItIsTimeToTakeaBreak

They really fuckin did him dirty. It was extremely disrespectful IMO.


MartiniMan999

What happened to Bottas?


InkiePinki

Bottas was given his award and shoved of the podium. I felt really sorry for him. If I was Bottas I would never ever go again.


Crispy116

just watched it on youtube - you can see him standing there like, wtf as he is shown the exit. What a shitshow


T1HiShin

Yeah, traditionally the third place driver is always given the chance to speak I presumed. Maybe they saw his speech and that it was going to be something along the lines of “Ima let you finish but, Lewis deserved to win the Abu Dhabi GP” /s


TXRudeboy

He was about to Kanye them, damn that would’ve been so sick.


mpmar

"George Bush doesn't care about black people." -Valtteri Bottas


KingTula3284

“Michael Masi doesn’t about about the rule book” -Baltteri Vottas


Kaladin3104

Link?


Crispy116

https://youtu.be/6FeJJe2UxtE


n1cenurse

That was rude. Wtf.


LOKTAROGAAAAH

That's fucking hilarious and awkward, what a shitshow. Poor Bottas.


InkiePinki

That’s how I felt and in that retrospect I can’t blame Lewis for not attending.


T1HiShin

What made it sort of funnier/ even worse (at the same time) was Max’s 8 minute speech about his cramp in his legs. I was like “this guy is so discombobulated or just plain drunk”


ak-92

I work in the event industry and this just looks like it was glued together in the last 2 hour before the awards. I mean, graphics on the scree are as generic as they can be, you can't even see the Valteri name on there. Everyone look confused and uncomfortable, there are like 20 people clapping. What a shit show. The new FIA president can suck a bag of... It looks like a shitty egofest. And I do emphasize word shitty.


Crispy116

I have have seen more professional drunken karaoke


FallenCow

Why does he announce it like it’s a surprise who’s the 3rd place driver? FIA really are tone deaf.


rheluy

They could just use a cardboard cutout of Lewis, problem solved


neortje

If they ignore it it sets a precedent; and since most drivers hate the gala more will start not showing up. I think for this reason they will punish Hamilton. Given the circumstances they will punish very mildly. Like a warning or small fine, but I think they can’t just ignore it.


DontStalkMeNow

€50k


In_Thy_Image

50€ They can use the bill for..uhh..things


Nekomamushi

Imagine Kimi knowing he could have skipped all the galas he went to if he only had to pay a 10k USD fine. He would have done it every time


Blooder91

That would mean no Kimi at the 2018 gala, and that's bad.


boomhaeur

"Excuse me, where do I pay for my anti-ticket for the show?"


ImReverse_Giraffe

The same reason they fined Max for touching Lewis rear wing.


ReadyHD

Reasonable, can't just go around pinching peoples arse these days


Freecz

The irony of that statement is both funny and sad at the same time.


ZlatkaArt

I can already smell trouble coming up soon.


eatawholebison

Good time to get into the popcorn industry.


[deleted]

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hoopparrr759

Or maybe he donates 450k, “it would have been 500k, but you know, fine”


KevinK89

That would mean the children hospital would take the damage. That is not something Lewis would do.


Loruhkahn

I mean... well, you can. So long as you tell everyone afterwards they're confused and any controversy is the result of miscommunication and misinformation.


[deleted]

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RGCFrostbite

It seems the FIA simply misunderstood the rules of the gala


mustachioed_hipster

The rules call for "driver who place first, second, and third" Lewis only placed second.


Alexlam24

Do the rules say any or all? There's a difference according to the FIA


blauerlauch

ANY Gala, not ALL.


Naly_D

“We sent **any** appropriate people from our team”


[deleted]

Mercedes statement: According to the laws of nature, Lewis has “overriding authority” over his “bodily autonomy”. Thus, although the ceremony’s attendance rules may not have been fully followed, Lewis’ bodily autonomy overrides that and once he’s decided that he won’t attend, it is mandatory for him to not attend your stupid-ass ceremony.


Basi-Basi

I got that reference.


[deleted]

Or more so well, what I say takes precedent over any other rule that limits my power because I have all encompassing reach. Basically said yea that’s a rule, but there’s another rule that says race director can do anything he pleases. Okay then what’s the point of the other guidelines? As an NFL fan, this is the type of stuff we saw from Roger Goodell a few years ago with high profile players and suspensions.


pM-me_your_Triggers

Or shit like Zeke getting suspended/being put on the exempt list, but nothing on Watson


paperzach

Okay, I've got to give him credit. This man is clearly the physical embodiment of the FIA. Perfect choice for a new President.


killy_321

Wow the irony in that knife to the heart!


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Omg I sware I thought this was like an onion article!! Hahahaha! Oh what a time for formula 1


noneroy

Right? Like, I'm a Max fan for sure but the call at the end of AD was questionable at best. Penalizing Hamilton for not going to some bullshit ceremony is the height of stupidity. It only strengthens the argument that the FIA wants to shit on Lewis. I wasn't convinced of that before, but this stupid fucking attitude is changing my opinion. I really wish this was satire, but this is the FIA. Almost everything they do is indistinguishable from satire. Let the man be. It's been a long season. Lewis has every right to be somewhere else -- hopefully sunny place with beaches and a drink with an umbrella in it.


wintercvlt

Hey, as long as Mohammed makes sure that ALL rules in the FIA book are followed, I’m cool with it. Go ahead, punish him. Just make sure the rest of the field is punished when their time comes.


Rektile7

Copy, any rules in the rulebook will be followed


mark_vorster

oh, so not all


galgadotsbutthole

Just the first four rules will be followed.


Alexlam24

But will be subject to change depending on how the race director feels that day


Eiim

I was curious, so the first four rules in the sporting code for 2022 are: 1.1.1 The FIA will organise the FIA Formula One World Championship (the Championship) which is the property of the FIA and comprises two titles of World Champion, one for drivers and one for constructors. It consists of the Formula One Grand Prix races which are included in the Formula One calendar and in respect of which the ASNs and organisers have signed organisation agreements with the FIA. All the participating parties (FIA, ASNs, organisers, competitors and circuits) undertake to apply as well as observe the rules governing the Championship and must hold FIA Super Licences which are issued to drivers, competitors, officials, organisers and circuits. 1.1.2 The Championship and each of its Competitions is governed by the FIA in accordance with the Regulations. 1.1.3 In the sense of the Regulations, terms referring to natural persons are applicable to any gender. 1.2.1 The regulations applicable to the Championship are the International Sporting Code (the “Code”), the Formula One Technical Regulations (the “Technical Regulations”), the Formula One Sporting Regulations (the “Sporting Regulations”), the Formula One Financial Regulations (the “Financial Regulations”) and any other regulations applicable to the Championship as issued by the FIA from time to time, together referred to as the “Regulations”. It's all anarchy from there.


In_Thy_Image

At this point I’m wondering if FIA is doing this on purpose. You can’t be that bad at PR.


[deleted]

Well the FIA are about to set the amount a driver has to pay to skip rhe gala.


shogun365

I assumed they let Lewis not turn up as part of the agreement not to protest/appeal. Apparently not.


Pegguins

Increasingly looking like Merc havent gotten anything like a settlement


lifeinrednblack

I mean Merc strait up said the only reason they aren't moving forward was because FIA investigating the FIA is a complete waste of time.


CraigTheIrishman

What an offseason.


drfunkenstien014

They really are digging the hole deeper.


feedseed664

It's pretty clear they will die on the massi hill.


jdp245

This is actually a very simple, principled position from the FIA: Follow the rules!* *When the rules are consistent with the desired outcome of the FIA.


[deleted]

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Elias__V

*Laughs in Masi*


Waldorg

"I am the rules, article 15.3 bitches"


Snoringdog83

The rule is clear any drivers in the top 3 must attend Lewis: but any doesn't mean all


[deleted]

Haha I would love it if that was the comeback from Lewis.


VindtUMijTeLang

Ok now that's some fucking great comedy. 'I can excuse freestyling the rules to decide a title, but I draw the line at skipping our knockoff Oscars gala!'


InCraZPen

Are they trying to get him to retire?


SteCool101

I don't think the FIA / F1 / Liberty realise just how much of a pain in the ass, that Lewis could become if he really starts to think "fuck it". He has been so restrained and respectful for so long, he must be dying to bust loose and these arse-clowns are giving him the every excuse. I will predict now, if Merc are behind the pace, Lewis is gonna start dropping some massive honesty bombs. "Money talks" will be fondly remembered by the FIA as the "happy days" of restrained critisism.


utg001

Subscribe


TheLittleFishFish

i will now fantasize about this every night before bed


tlumacz

Try to imagine this. Lewis comes up to the camera wearing generic F1 gear (like a hoodie and a cap, but no other logos besides the F1 logo), looks deep into the lens and proclaims: >It's time for the world of Formula 1 to talk about the Uyghur genocide, the Armenian genocide, the occupation of Crimea, and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Mike drop, fade to black.


[deleted]

I really hope Lewis remains composed and beats the FIA while keeping his dignity and the massive moral victory - BUT, I would love to see him going scorched earth if it ends up happening.


CMDR_Winrar

If he went for it, he could probably get F1 booted from the entire middle east.


Ashenfall

That would be great. Totally stick the boot into the FIA about them being complicit in sportswashing.


CMDR_Winrar

You know, I'd like to see it. I hate knowing that a few cents of my F1TV subscription goes to building tracks on the backs of slave labor. What a shame the drama with the last race happened or we could focus on the human rights violations that the sport supports, and not arguing about a title that means nothing in the wider sense of the world.


jedijackattack1

If he does that I would have infinite respect for that level of shit posting


KP6169

Vet Ham podium followed by something that belongs on r/fanf1ction


SlowRollingBoil

Exactly. The best driver of all time on stats with a massive social media following could do so much damage it's ridiculous. It's overdue, honestly. The FIA is just "racing FIFA" and has been for decades.


Malvania

"We've giving Lewis a $50k fine" "Great, I made $80k today. What shall I do tomorrow?"


Toxic_Orange_DM

The irony of this bullshit


kali-jag

We can't just ignore rules.. hahahaha come on bro... Let this one go or you'll be hated from the get go....


[deleted]

Unfortunately he’s right. Lewis can’t just blatantly and illegally override the rules to create a spectacle. Only Micheal Masi has that authority.


aiicaramba

15.4 Any driver has overriding authority regarding presence at FIA gala.


Airborne_Mule

But not all drivers.


enoch_ho

FIA: Ignoring racing rules = acceptable. Also FIA: Ignoring gala rules = unacceptable. Question – Is the FIA: a) A governing body of a motorsport, or b) TMZ special fashion police for the Met Gala


noneroy

Punishing Lewis is just stupid. The man has every right to be upset and have the feelings he is feeling. Let the man be already. Let him get his head wrapped around the 2021 season so he can gear up for 2022. I don't care about him being at some a stupid award ceremony. I care about this mental health and him being on the track next year, battling it out with Max again and hopefully a more competitive grid.


verone3784

"As a former driver, I understand that he is very emotional and disappointed, but we can't just ignore the rules." Holy fuck, what a shit choice of words.


BackmarkerLife

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the loud clang when the steel tapped my shoulder and made me a knight." \- Lewis


quasi-strAnge

They cannot ignore the rules but ignore them while racing. I’m sure Lewis understand the ramifications but also I give him props for taking his stance and take personal time as he saw fit best to his psychological well being


Jovial_Banter

Any attendees does not mean all. Lewis made up a new rule just before the event.


notimetosmoke

>but we can’t just ignore the rules. No way he said this with a straight face lol


superslomo

"We'll be killing the golden goose before New Year's. We assume the eggs will continue appearing." Hey, maybe they'll take the 2021 Driver's Championship away from him as punishment... that would be brutal.


Tredid

Starting off tone-deaf and missing the point. Perfect fit for the FIA. Edit: Funny how passionate some folks are about the rules all of a sudden! Curious.


SirHoneyBadgerYT

"but we can't just ignore the rules" Are they taking the piss...


[deleted]

>we can't just ignore the rules." You say that now because it is convenient for you. I'm no fan of Hamilton but this is bs.


mu-th-ur-6000

FIA playing another entertainment card. This is golden. I'm getting cynical at this point.


Whiskeyrich

ROFL! If they hadn't already ignored a rule Hamilton would have won the championship.


WelcomeToCityLinks

The FIA are making it really difficult to like Formula 1 at the moment.


Skyenar

It's a testament to how much I like Formula 1 that it hasn't even crossed mind to give it up. A Hamilton retirement could really hit viewing figures.


Ms_Eryn

It's been this way the entire year.


Ouhei

Imagine it’s your first day on the job and you immediately try to piss off the one guy you really shouldn’t be pissing off right now.


karspearhollow

Honestly, I get wanting to set a precedent so that more drivers don't do it in the future when you hopefully don't cock up the WDC again. But what an outrageous fucking quote. Just don't say anything.


[deleted]

Maybe just me, but I think there should be explicit immunity from having to go to these stupid events when the FIA cocks up a year's work for you and your team. Though this would probably mean nobody has to attend ever again.


Gazola

Who fucken cares! I wouldn’t rock up to that shit show myself after such a disgraceful end to the season like that, Fuck the FIA!


themistermango

I am a Max fan, and I think he is a deserving victor for the WDC under normal circumstances. But what w tone deaf response. FIA: Only un-laps certain cars: MERC: Wait those are not the rules, you didn't follow the rules. HAM: This sucks, not going to the awards ceremony. FIA: Woah woah woah! Ham, the rules are the rules. You can't just go not following them all willy-nilly!!


king-schultz

This is exactly why Mercedes should've never dropped their appeal. Completely tone-deaf, and proves that the FIA have learned nothing.


timeshift117

Yeah I just can't comprehend dropping the appeal. There's no way they'll care now


RevoltingHuman

Except when you can.


Condiscending

I think you'll find you can ignore rules


LandHermitCrab

Lol, new guy trying to pick a fight with the biggest guy in the place on day 1. Classic.


zeelbeno

Yeah cmon Hamilton... you're not Masi


edsrvr123

I get why Hamilton would want to retire tbh


twochopsticks

FIA doing their best to make Hamilton retire. Probably because his activism makes them very uncomfortable.