11 April 2023 , 14:10
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It was arguably the most controversial finish to an F1 world title race in the history of the sport - and 16 months on Lewis Hamilton fans are still lobbying for a change a decision.
The build-up to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December that year was off the scale, with the race set to provide the culmination of an epic year of rivalry between Max Verstappen and Hamilton. With the pair level on points, it was the Mercedes man who seemed destined to take the chequered flag, and with it a record breaking eight world title, as he led late on.
But then. a crash from Williams driver Nicholas Latifi sparked off a chaotic sequence of governance. After a safety car was called, Verstappen took the gamble of diving into the pits, a move which appeared futile when race director Michael Masi instructed that lapped cars could not overtake the FIA vehicle, meaning there wouldn't be enough time for competitive racing to resume.
But under pressure from Red Bull boss Christian Horner, Masi dramatically changed his mind in order to ensure one final lap of racing, and with it, a dramatic finish. It meant Vertsappen could get right up to Hamilton and on fresher tyres, inevitably passed him to seal glory.
A subsequent protest from the Silver Arrows came to nothing, and despite immediately activating their right to appeal, Toto Wolff and co eventually dropped that course of action. Hamilton fans however, weren't so willing to forgive the apparent injustice, which ultimately cost Masi his job.
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Over 12 months ago, a petition was started on social media by Patel Gordon-Bennett with the aim of getting the result of the race overturned, and the number of signatures is continuing to escalate. Indeed, on Tuesday morning 'Abu Dhabi Grand Prix' was trending on Twitter after a link to the petition went viral, with nearly 80,000 people having put their names to document.
The petition now has almost 80,000 signatures (Twitter@https://twitter.com/f1blag)The discontent over the outcome was only heightened last year when it emerged Red Bull had breached their budget cap in that 2021 season. Amid calls from rivals for severe punishments and points deductions though, Horner's team were only handed a fine and a reduction in wind tunnel time.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on the podium in Abu Dhabi (AFP via Getty Images)But despite the ill-feeling over the 'Miracle of Yas Marina' still clearly apparent, there is essentially no chance of the FIA reacting to the petition. Mercedes themselves have long moved on from the saga - publicly at least - with their current focus on rectifying their stumbling 2023 campaign.
In a cruel coincidence last month though, the Australian Grand Prix concluded with Verstappen taking the chequered flag ahead of Hamilton - with the race finishing behind the safety car after a series of controversial calls. It was the first race attended by Masi since he was removed from his position in the aftermath of Abu Dhabi.