Several of Formula 1’s midfield racers criticised race control’s handling of the last-lap restart in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as not all were allowed to un-lap themselves.
Dieter Rencken's articles on RaceFans
Dieter Rencken has held full FIA Formula 1 media accreditation since 2000, during which period he has reported from over 300 grands prix, plus other categories such as World Rally Championship, MotoGP, World Endurance Championship, World RallyCross Championship and Formula E for a variety of media outlets. He joined racefans.net as special contributor in 2018. Dieter is recognised as an authority on global motorsport politics and economics. He writes the annual 'What F1 Teams Spend' and F1 earnings guides and his weekly columns provide behind-the-scenes analysis of the sport. In 2012 he first unpicked F1’s previously opaque financial and governance structures, and has been credited with bringing much-needed transparency to F1. He has 'scooped' several of the sport’s biggest news stories, including the Aston Martin/Red Bull Valkyrie project, Haas F1’s formation, Carlos Sainz Jnr's shock move to Toro Rosso, Fernando Alonso’s Daytona and Dakar entries, and, more recently, Canadian Lawrence Stroll’s acquisition of Force India (Racing Point) and his subsequent take-over of Aston Martin.
Mercedes’ protest ‘sums up the season’ says new champion Verstappen
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onMax Verstappen says Mercedes’ protest over the restart at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix “sums up” the often controversial 2021 season.
Turn five could be best spot for overtaking at revamped Yas Marina – Alonso
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onFernando Alonso says turn five on the revamped Yas Marina circuit is a “question mark” for overtaking opportunities, but most expect passing will remain difficult.
Switch to older engine cost Bottas “at least two tenths” in qualifying
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onValtteri Bottas says he lost “at least two tenths” in qualifying due to using an older power unit due to reliability concerns.
Norris won’t take “excessive risk” starting behind championship contenders
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onLando Norris said he was pleased but surprised to qualify immediately behind the two championship contenders at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Mercedes see “a lesson to learn” from Red Bull’s qualifying tow tactics
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onMercedes could learn a lesson from the “flawless” slipstreaming tactics Red Bull demonstrated in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, says team principal Toto Wolff.
Alonso wants stewards to “show a yellow or red card” for qualifying incidents
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onFernando Alonso says F1’s rules aren’t being enforced as strictly as when he left the sport in 2018 and wants harsher penalties for incidents in qualifying.
Paddock Diary: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix part one
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onWith livery launches and evening entertainment to attend, there’s plenty of opportunities to catch up with key figures ahead of the final race of the year.
Q&A – Perez on driving a Newey car and having F1’s ‘best driver’ as a team mate
2021 F1 season
Posted onSergio Perez told RaceFans what he’s learned from his season with a new team, new car and Max Verstappen as a team mate.
Changes made Yas Marina “more fun” but drivers unsure overtaking will be easier
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1 drivers largely praised the new-look Yas Marina after driving it for the first time on Friday, but remain unsure whether overtaking will become easier.
Mercedes “media machine” pushing narrative of “crazy” Verstappen – Horner
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onChristian Horner has accused Mercedes of pushing a “clear narrative” against Max Verstappen ahead of this weekend’s championship-deciding race.
Ferrari not in talks with Todt over return – Binotto
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onFerrari is not in talks with outgoing FIA president Jean Todt about a future role with the team, according to Mattia Binotto, his successor in charge of the Scuderia.
Schumacher still the greatest even if Hamilton breaks his championships record – Vettel
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onNo matter how many world championship title Lewis Hamilton win, Sebastian Vettel will always consider Michael Schumacher the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time.
Yas Marina corner modifications earn early praise from drivers
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1 drivers are optimistic the revised layout of the Yas Marina will improve overtaking opportunities during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen was mentally tough from his first day in an F1 car – Tost interview
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onThe first team principal to run Max Verstappen in Formula 1 is “convinced” he will win the championship this weekend.
Raikkonen ‘looking forward to normal life’ as he calls time on longest-ever F1 career
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onKimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will run special messages on their cars this weekend as the Alfa Romeo team mates depart Formula 1 together.
Sainz urges title rivals to fight fair and prove ‘we are still a sport, not only a show’
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onMax Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton must put on a fair fight in the championship-deciding race for the sake of Formula 1’s image, says Carlos Sainz Jnr.
Verstappen disagrees with ‘brake test’ penalty and claims he’s treated ‘unfairly’
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onMax Verstappen believes he has been treated differently to other drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, after receiving two penalties in last weekend’s controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Todt defied expectations as president – now he plans to “disappear” from FIA
RacingLines
Posted onFIA president Jean Todt, who will step down next week, reflected on his 12 years in the role in an exclusive interview for RaceFans.
Todt ‘in talks over Ferrari consultancy role’ after end of FIA presidency
2021 F1 season
Posted onJean Todt, who oversaw Ferrari’s domination of Formula 1 in the 2000s, could return to the team after his tenure as FIA president concludes next week, according to reports in Italy.