FIA report into controversial Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen 2021 Abu Dhabi title decider admits ‘human error’ but result still stands

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA have revealed their findings into the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi season finale.

Last season's epic title bout between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was decided in the most jaw-dropping of fashions with a final lap title-winning lunge from Verstappen.

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The pair of title contenders astonishingly entered the 22nd and final race of the season level on points, and Hamilton appeared on course for a record-breaking eighth world title.

Over 12 seconds ahead of second-placed Verstappen with five laps to go, Hamilton had one hand on the trophy before a later Nicholas Latifi crash brought out a safety car.

Verstappen instantly took advantage and pitted for fresh tyres, but his title hopes appeared to be over after re-joining the race with five lapped cars between himself and Hamilton.

The race also appeared destined to end under a yellow flag, but race director Michael Masi then made a series of unprecedented calls, allowing the five lapped cars to pass and the safety car to clear.

This effectively left Hamilton as a sitting duck as Verstappen lunged past at turn five of the Yas Marina circuit, claiming his maiden world title.

Mercedes instantly protested the decisions, but to no avail, and later withdrew their intention to take the matter to the further to the FIA's Court of Appeal.

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However the matter was far from over, with Masi removed from his post on February 17 and replaced as race director ahead of the new season.

, released on the eve of the 2022 Formula 1 season-opener in Bahrain, it says Masi 'acted in good faith and to the best of his knowledge' but concedes there was 'human error' due to the pressures surrounding his role.

But crucially the result of the race will stand, finally confirming Verstappen's title.

Thanks to the report, the FIA's sporting regulations have also been updated ahead of the new campaign, with a crucial wording change made to avoid a repeat of last season's controversy.

Article 55.13 of the FIA's regulations now reads 'all' lapped cars must pass the safety car, with the previous 'any' redacted as it left the law open to interpretation.

The FIA has undergone huge changes in the off-season, with long time president Jean Todt stepping away from the sport to be replaced by Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

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Hamilton has since met the new president and spoke positively about their meeting.

“I think it’s important as a sport that we are transparent,” Hamilton said ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“I had a good meeting with Mohammed last night, who agreed that’s the direction we should take as a sport.

“[I’m] 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 happened in the past, and we’ll make improvements moving forwards.”