The duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton throughout the 2021 Formula 1 championship led to interventions by the stewards in almost every grand prix, either by actions between the two or separately.
At the end of a season that ended with some controversy in Abu Dhabi, we take a look at all the decisions made by the FIA and the race stewards.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 Bahrain F1 GP
Hamilton was “warned” by race management and had to correct his trajectory at turn 4 from lap 37 (of a 56-lap race), as they considered that the Briton was going too far to gain an advantage. The race director’s notes explained that the track limits would not be specially scrutinized at that corner during the race after having been monitored in previous sessions, but pointed out that article 27.3 of the Sporting Regulations (which prohibits achieving an “advantage lasting” after running off the runway) was still applicable.
Verstappen had to give up first position at the request of race management for overtaking Hamilton by going off the track at turn 4 (lap 53), in breach of article 27.3.
The decisions of the stewards in F1 2021 in Imola
There was an incident at Turn 1 on the first lap between Verstappen and Hamilton, where the Red Bull Racing driver pushed the Englishman to the limit, which was “scored” by the stewards, but the investigation was deemed unnecessary.
Later in the race, after going off the track, Hamilton was allowed to repair his car under red flag and make up the lap he had lost during Safety Car, in accordance with the regulations. And it was not noted that he backed down to rejoin the track.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 F1 Portuguese GP
Verstappen had his best lap removed in Q3 for going over track limits at Turn 4; pole went to Valtteri Bottas with Hamilton second.
In the race on Sunday, Verstappen also had his best lap erased for going over track limits at Turn 14 during the final lap, for which he lost the extra point, which went to the Mercedes Finn.
The decisions of the stewards in the Spanish GP 2021 of F1
There was an incident at Turn 1 on the first lap between Verstappen and Hamilton (the Dutchman was more responsible) that was “noted” by the stewards, but investigation was deemed unnecessary.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 French GP of F1
Verstappen spun off the track at Turn 1 on the opening lap, an action that was “noted” by the stewards, but no investigation was deemed necessary.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 F1 Styrian GP
Verstappen received a “warning” from race management after stopping on the main straight as he crossed the finish line to celebrate in front of his mechanics “burning” tyres.
The stewards’ decisions at the 2021 F1 British GP
Hamilton was penalized ten seconds into the race and two points on his super license for his part in the accident with Verstappen at Turn 9 on the first lap.
Hamilton was allowed to repair his car during the red flag and would go on to win.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 Hungarian GP of F1
Valtteri Bottas was penalized five places on the starting grid at the Belgian GP and received two points on his super license for his responsibility in the collision with Lando Norris that later caused damage to Verstappen’s car at the first corner of the first lap.
Verstappen was allowed to repair his car during the red flag.
The decisions of the stewards at the Belgian GP 2021 F1
Verstappen-Hamilton: race with official result after one lap under Safety Car due to weather conditions; Verstappen winner and Hamilton, third. Half of the points were awarded.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 F1 Dutch GP
Verstappen: Called up but not penalized for allegedly overtaking Lance Stroll under a red flag during FP2.
The decisions of the stewards at the Italian GP 2021 of F1
Verstappen was penalized three places on the starting grid at the Russian GP and two points on the super license for his responsibility in the collision with Hamilton at Turn 2 on lap 26 of the race.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 F1 Russian GP
Verstappen was sent to the back of the grid (20th) after exceeding the number of elements allowed in the engine for the first time this season. The penalty was equivalent to 60 positions for new parts plus three for the Monza accident).
Verstappen was allowed to contest the race despite failing to set time in Q1, as the session was declared “wet” by race management.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 F1 Turkish GP
Hamilton was penalized ten grid positions (he took pole and started 11th on the grid) for exceeding the permitted number of internal combustion engine (ICE) elements.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 F1 United States GP
Verstappen and Hamilton meet on track during the third practice session, but the stewards did not consider an investigation necessary.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 Mexican GP of F1
Hamilton received a reprimand for not respecting the race director’s notes by going off track at Turn 2 and returning incorrectly during the first practice session.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 Brazilian GP of F1
Hamilton was penalized with five places on the grid for a new change of the internal combustion engine (ICE)
Verstappen was fined €50,000 for touching Hamilton’s car in parc fermé after qualifying.
Hamilton was disqualified from qualifying due to a technical irregularity in his car (not respecting the maximum gap of 85mm between the planes of his rear wing when opening the DRS).
Verstappen’s incident with Hamilton at Turn 4 on Lap 48 was “noted” by the stewards but not investigated.
Hamilton was fined 5,000 euros for unfastening his seat belt on the lap of honor after winning.
Mercedes filed an appeal for review of the stewards’ decision not to investigate the incident on lap 48, but it was dismissed.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 Qatar GP of F1
Verstappen was sanctioned with five places on the starting grid (he went from second to seventh) and with 2 points in the super license for not respecting a double yellow flag in Q3.
The decisions of the stewards at the 2021 F1 Saudi Arabian GP
Hamilton was summoned by the stewards for allegedly failing to respect a double yellow flag in FP3 but was not penalized.
Hamilton received a reprimand for unjustifiably hindering Mazepin in FP3.
Verstappen lost two places on the third starting grid (from first to third) for overtaking Hamilton when he went off the track at Turn 2 during the second standing start on Lap 14.
Verstappen was penalized five seconds into the race and a super license point for holding his position in front of Hamilton by going off the track at Turn 2 on Lap 37.
Verstappen was penalized 10 seconds after the race and 2 points on the super license for causing a collision by braking hard in front of Hamilton before Turn 27 on Lap 37.
The stewards’ decisions at the 2021 F1 Abu Dhabi GP
The stewards considered that an investigation was not necessary for Hamilton hindering Mazepin during the third free practice.
The stewards “noted” the Vertappen-Hamilton incident at Turn 6 on the first lap, but did not consider an investigation necessary.
Verstappen was summoned by the stewards after the race for allegedly overtaking Hamilton during the safety car final, but was not penalized.
Mercedes’ protest over the breach of the safety car procedure in the final laps was rejected. The team gave notice of its intention to appeal that decision, but ultimately abandoned it.
