Was order to unlap legally within the regulations?

[Nitrodaze]

I just registered recently, so hello everybody. I have a couple points to add now to this interested thread.
1) One of Red Bulls arguments supporting Masi's decision (and let's not hold this against Red Bull) but they suggested that the use of the word 'any' doesn't neccesarily mean 'all' cars can be unlapped. But what this argument fails to acknowledge, is that in the second paragraph, the rule goes on to explain which cars the rule applies to. Therefore, it would not be accurate use of the English language to have used the word 'ALL' in the first paragraph. The rule actually makes perfect sense, this argument by Red Bull (upheld by the stewards) is false.
2) At the end of the Eifel GP in 2020 Masi when interviewed by the media about use of the safety car in that race, he actually states... and I quote "There's a requirement in the sporting regulations to wave all the lapped cars past..." It is therefore evident to me that he contrived a new interpretation just for the situation at the end of the Abu Dhabi race because for whatever reason the reality of the race was not playing out to the script that he required and therefore hamilton was bang on the money when he said "this race has been manipulated man".
3) We must now consider the argument that Masi also made after the race that the regs for unlapping cars is to allow the leaders to race. Ok, fair enough with that principle. However, do we honestly believe that the rule was meant to be applied in a way that advantages some back markers, but not others? For example, If you plan to let 5 cars unlap themselves and three cars to not unlap themselves, you are basically saying 'to hell with the race fortunes of the first guy that we don't permit to unlap himself.' Basically unless you let all cars unlap, or none at all, you have to show massive favouritism to the last guy you allowed to unlap, and massive prejudice to the first guy that you say is not permitted to unlap himself. You are not creating a fair environment free of favouritism. Now honestly, do you think all teams believe the race director gets to pick and choose which cars can unlap and which cannot? In the word of Russell "UNACCEPTABLE".

So... summary of all of this? Arguments in favour of Masi's interpretation of the rules are frankly illogical and simply incorrect, or not in the regulations.

The drivers drove well, the teams made strategy calls based on the rules and prior precidents, but the race director invented something new which stuffed up Mercedes strategy, and fortunately for Red Bull, Max was able to take full advantage of the Race directors stupidity and incompetence. - Bravo Red Bull, fair game on your part. Unlucky Mercedes, I feel for you. And as for Masi? I think you need to step away from this role. Maybe there is a more suitable position for you elsewhere - and one more thing, you try to be less sarcastic and arrogant and a little more gracious when a team manager calls you out on your blatant incompetence.

A very good analysis you give there. And welcome to the forum. As you pointed out, 48.12 of the regulation required Race Control to notify all teams that LAPPED CARS CAN UNLAP THEMSELVES. And then goes on to say any car that has been lapped by the leader cars must overtake the leader cars and the safety car to unlap themselves and must proceed quickly to rejoin the end of the tail. The safety car cannot be withdrawn until the unlapping cars have all rejoined or have travelled at least half the circuit from the safety car before the safety car can be withdrawn.
Section 48.13, then elaborate on what should transpire when the safety car has entered the pitlane.

The fact that ALL TEAMS are to be notified of impending UNLAPPING, implies that cars of any team that received that message must unlap themselves. Therefore, ANY in this section equates to ALL.
This section has been designed to protect the competition of all the cars on the grid. Not just the lead cars. It is there for the fight in the midfield as well where racing is just as important as at the front. The restart is an opportunity for every car to have the chance to gain a position or two before the chequered flag.

THIS IS WHERE MASI's PERSPECTIVE IS VERY FLAWED. It was discriminatory to the midfield as it was unfair to Mercedes who relied on the normal process laid out in the regulations. What really surprised me is his disregard for Mercedes' expectations and opinion. He was bullish to them and quite condescending to Toto actually.