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FIA race director Michael Masi has put Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on notice over any unsporting conduct in Sunday's title showdown in Abu Dhabi.
Tensions are running high ahead of F1's decisive round at Yas Marina, with Verstappen and Hamilton heading into the 2021 season's finale level on points.
However, the Red Bull driver is the current leader of the Drivers' championship, and will remain so if both drivers retire from the race, by virtue of winning one more race than Hamilton this season.
On the back of last weekend's incident-filled and contentious Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, where the stewards were not given a moment of respite, he reminds drivers of several basic principles contained with the International Sporting Code.
Masi emphasized in particular Article 12.2.1.I:
“Any infringement of the principles of fairness in Competition, behaviour in an unsportsmanlike manner or attempt to influence the result of a Competition in a way that is contrary to sporting ethics.”
F1's race director also singled out Article 12.4.5 and the possibility of imposing a suspension of a disqualification on a competitor:
“For all the FIA Championships, cups, challenges, trophies or series, the stewards may also decide to impose the following penalties: Suspension for one or more Competitions, withdrawal of points for the Championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series.”
But Article 12.4.5 and Article 12.4.5. are clear warnings that unfair conduct by a competitor out on the track will be sanctioned accordingly.
“For all the FIA Championships, cups, challenges, trophies or series, the stewards may also decide to impose the following penalties: Suspension for one or more Competitions, withdrawal of points for the Championship, cup, challenge, trophy, series.”
“Points should not be deducted separately from Drivers and Competitors, save in exceptional circumstances.”
Gentleman, you have been warned!
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