2021 - Race 22 Abu Dhabi

[Nitrodaze]

If Mercedes would have made the right strategy calls instead of sitting on their hands through the race, they would not have been at risk of a late yellow flag.

To be fair, l reviewed the thinking of the Mercedes strategist. With Lafiti crashing so close to the end, they anticipated the Marshalls would need at least 4 out of the five laps to clear the track. Which would essentially result in a safety car finish. So there was no need to change tyres if the regulation was followed. With hindsight, we would say they should have anticipated that Masi would alter the regulations under the guise of racing to the finish. This is not a fair comment really.

Every team go about their strategy relying on the stability of the regulations, race control doing their jobs according to this regulation and the situation laid out currently in front of them on track. Mercedes in this case did their strategy expecting the regulations to be followed. If the regulations were followed, they would have done the right strategy. They have no way of knowing Masi was going to do something out of the ordinary.