THE FIA has revamped Formula One’s car safety rules next season to prevent a repeat of Lewis Hamilton’s world title loss in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton, 37, was controversially robbed of the chance to win his eighth world title last year in the final race of the season held in the Middle East.
2
2
The Brit was in pole position to clinch glory when a safety car was deployed by the ex-FIA race director Michael Masi in the final laps of the showdown.
Masi’s madness effectively turned Hamilton into a sitting duck and allowed his bitter foe Max Verstappen to overtake the Brit and earn his first world title.
And along with axing Masi, the sport’s governing body has now implemented a new rule to snuff any chance of the debacle recurring next season – which begins in Bahrain this weekend.
The FIA unveiled a revised edition of the 2022 sporting regulations saying that ALL – instead of what used to be ANY – lapped cars must un-lap themselves before a restart, Sky Sports reported.
All you need for Cheltenham Festival 2022
The news will be music to Hamilton’s ears after he sensationally considered QUITTING the sport following defeat to Verstappen.
Another change fans will have to get used to is Hamilton deciding to change his name.
The Mercedes driver revealed that he’s in the process of changing his last name to incorporate his mother’s surname – Larbalestier.
Hamilton stated the reasons behind his choice at the Dubai Expo 2022 where he said: “It would mean the world to my family [to win an eighth title].
“It would mean a lot to me knowing that, for example, I am really proud of my family’s name, Hamilton.
“Actually none of you might know that my mum’s [sur]name is Larbalestier. And I’m just about to put that in my name.
“Because I don’t really fully understand the whole idea of why, when people get married, the woman loses her name.
“I really want her name to continue on with the Hamilton name.”
