Formula 1: 'Human error' responsible for incorrect application of rules in Abu Dhabi

Formula 1's governing body has said «human error» was responsible for the incorrect application of rules in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The FIA said race director Michael Masi had acted in «good faith» during the controversial finale which saw Max Verstappen snatch the championship from Lewis Hamilton on the last lap.

Masi has since been removed from his post and F1 race control restructured.

The report ruled the result and the World Championship «valid and final».

The report is final confirmation that Red Bull's Max Verstappen was the 2021 F1 world champion — not that that was ever expected to be in doubt in the process.

Published by the FIA 97 days after the race, the official report found a number of key errors were made.

Following a late-race crash for Williams' Nicholas Latifi a safety car was released to slow the field and let the track be cleared by marshals. This led to the single final racing lap on which the destiny of the world title changed hands from Lewis Hamilton to Verstappen. It concluded:

The FIA confirmed a number of measures taken to avoid the same errors happening again. These include:

Before the report was published on Saturday, a number of team bosses and drivers said that it was time for F1 to «move on» from the events of Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff said earlier on Saturday: «We need to turn the page. It's in nobody's interests to continue the discussion about Abu Dhabi.»

Hamilton, who lost a possible eighth world title in Abu Dhabi following Masi's errors, said on Friday: «It's important that, as a sport, we're transparent.»

Hamilton said he was «looking forward to seeing [the report] come out and for people to know that this sport is transparent and we are learning from what's