In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton says he hopes the FIA will make its report into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix available for “everyone”
In brief
FIA should make Abu Dhabi report public – Hamilton
Hamilton says that he hopes the FIA’s report of its investigation into the final Safety Car restart in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be made public.
Last week, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced major changes to race control in Formula 1 in response to an internal investigation into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver says he hopes that the FIA will make it available to “everyone”.
“I’ve not seen it,” Hamilton said. “I didn’t think it was out yet, but I’m excited to see the results from that report and I think hopefully everyone will get to see it and to have, perhaps, a better understanding of everything.
“I think ultimately, like everything, it’s down to understanding where we’ve been so we can move forward in a positive light.”
Mazepin looking forward to return of sprint races
Haas driver Nikita Mazepin says he enjoyed the sprint races introduced last season and is looking forward to the three sprint events on this season’s F1 calendar.
There will be three sprint races at Imola, Red Bull Ring and Interlagos this season. Mazepin says he is a fan of the alternative format introduced last year.
“I enjoyed it,” Mazepin said. “I enjoyed it firstly as a race fan, because it’s great to turn up to a race venue or turn on a TV and know that Friday, Saturday, Sunday there’s something at stake rather than just free practises.
“But also, from a driver’s point of view, I like the challenge. You wake up, short warm-up and you’re straight into qualifying.”
Hadjar ends Formula Regional Asian Championship with a win
Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar finished the Formula Regional Asian Championship with a race win in the final race of the championship in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar won a race disrupted by multiple Safety Cars at the Yas Marina circuit to claim his second victory of the season ahead of Gabriele Mini and Mercedes junior driver Paul Aron. Fellow Red Bull Jak Crawford finished in fourth place.
With Arthur Leclerc having already clinched the drivers’ title after Saturday’s first race, Hadjar ended the season third in the overall standings behind Pepe Marti.
Driver given suspended fine for urination at Yas Marina
Alfred Renauer copped an unusual fine during last weekend’s Asian Le Mans Series race at Yas Marina. The Herberth Motorsport driver was fined €10,000 (£8,300) and ordered to provide a written apology or pay a further €10,000 after a marshal spotted him urinating at the trackside during a red flag period.
“In certain cultures where acts or deeds vary in levels of acceptance, the panel of stewards recognise that in the United Arab Emirates, such an act is extremely disrespectful and is a criminal offence,” noted the stewards. “Taking the above into consideration, the panel of stewards have decided to impose such a penalty.”
IndyCar is back
The new IndyCar season begins this weekend! Don’t miss RaceFans’ preview of this year’s championship coming up later today.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Lou, Nirupam, Phiwe, Saiesh, Keamo and Phiwe Maserumule!
On this day in motorsport
- Born on this day in 1940: Peter Gethin
