XPost: rec.autos.sport.f1, rec.autos.sport.indy, rec.autos.sport.nascar

read the whole story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/f1-heading-into-dangerous-territory-towards-wwe/ar-AASpi1u

PlanetF1
F1 ‘heading into dangerous territory’ towards WWE
Finley Crebolder - Jan 4

Formula 1 is getting dangerously close to becoming motorsport’s
version of WWE, says former driver Stefan Johansson.

The 2021 campaign featured one of the most spectacular climaxes ever
with Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the
final race to win the title ahead of the Mercedes driver.

While it was thrilling though, it was also hugely controversial due to
the fact that Michael Masi ignore normal protocol to set up the
grandstand finish, allowing the five lapped cars between the two title
rivals to unlap themselves under the Safety Car – but no others so that
there would be enough time for a final lap in racing conditions.

The race director’s decision to do so has divided opinion with some
praising him for creating such a thrilling spectacle and others feeling
he broke the rules for the sake of entertainment.

Johansson is very much part of the latter camp and is worried it’s
becoming like WWE, the scripted wrestling competition.

“In the end, I think both Max and Lewis deserved to win the title this year,” he said on his blog.

“They both drove at such a high level and both their teams operated at equally high levels, and it would have been such an incredible ending to
the year to have it decided fair and square on the racetrack.

“Instead, we now have this endless controversy and polarization. I’m
sure the folks at Liberty are not complaining as this has lifted F1 to a
whole new level in terms of people following.




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