It's tough to argue that Michael Masi & Race Control didn't interfere in the final outcome of the Drivers' Championship for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

In the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, why did they not red flag the race with a view to resume it later (a la 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix)? Would that have been the most-fair way to act? 

And of course, would Race Control have acted in the same way if the season finale wasn't a title deciding one?

Is the culprit the 'general agreement' that exists between the Formula 1 teams and Race Control to not end a race under the Safety Car? Yeah, this seems like the 'gentleman's agreement' that drivers selectively following during Qualifying.

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal discuss the controversial decisions that clouded Max Verstappen's crowning moment. After the dust settles, the duo hope that Formula 1 comes out as the winner - a better sport who's sporting integrity can't be questioned. After all, the biggest car manufacturers are watching the sport with even more interest these days. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 77)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes