On 15 December 2021 the FIA World Motor Sport Council initiated a full review of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix procedures, acknowledging the controversy had harmed Formula 1’s reputation.
The FIA’s decision to open a formal analysis of the Abu Dhabi finale signalled the governing body’s recognition that the title-deciding Safety Car
What the Safety Car does in Formula 1 and why it is essential. sequence demanded scrutiny. The call came just days after the championship ended under circumstances that created confusion around restart protocol and the selective unlapping of cars. The FIA aimed to re-establish procedural clarity and restore confidence after a season of intense competition.
The review focused on how the existing regulations were interpreted in real time. The governing body accepted that inconsistent communication contributed to the perception of improvised race control decisions. As a result, the analysis sought to map every operational step, from the initial Safety Car deployment to the timing of messages issued to teams. This created a structured basis for identifying gaps between written rules and practical execution.
Strategically, the review addressed wider concerns about how race control interacted with sporting integrity. Teams required predictable decision-making to plan tyre usage, manage energy deployment and anticipate restart behaviour. Thus the FIA emphasised the need for processes that reduced ambiguity in late-race conditions.
The announcement also acknowledged reputational impact. The governing body understood that the finale overshadowed a technically rich season and risked undermining trust among competitors and fans. The review became the first step toward procedural reforms that would later reshape the organisation of race control.
