"This issue will be discussed with all teams and drivers in order to learn from this situation and provide clarification to participants, media and fans on the regulations in force," it said in a statement.

Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of seven-time world champion, Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), and thus wins his first world title on December 12, 2021 KAMRAN JEBREILI POOL / AFP

The aim is for "conclusions to be made before the start of the 2022 season" in Bahrain on March 20.

This decision was taken by the World Motorsport Council on a proposal from the outgoing FIA President, Frenchman Jean Todt, whose successor will be elected on Friday.

"The circumstances surrounding the use of the safety car following the accident of driver Nicholas Latifi and the related communications between the FIA ​​race management and the teams generated incomprehension and strong reactions from the teams of Formula 1, drivers and fans, "notes the World Motor Sport Council.

This controversy "currently tarnishes the image of the Championship and the celebration in due form of the first title of world champion of the pilots won by Max Verstappen (Red Bull, note) and of the eighth consecutive title of world of the constructors won by Mercedes ", we also read in this press release.

The joy of the Dutch driver Max Verstappen, after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and his 1st world title in front of the seven-time world champion, the Briton Lewis Hamilton ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

The victory in Abu Dhabi, synonymous with coronation for that of the Dutchman or Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) who would come first in the GP, seemed promised to the Briton until the crash of Latifi six laps from the finish.

The time to free the Williams from the Canadian, the race was neutralized behind the safety car.

It is the moment when this neutralization ended at the very end of the GP which is the subject of debate, and which Mercedes in particular contests.

The German manufacturer reckons that the restart of the race took place a lap earlier than expected in the regulations, before the 58th and final lap.

But Verstappen overtook Hamilton in the last lap, to clinch victory and his first title.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen in the mirrors of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) on the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, December 12, 2021 Giuseppe CACACE AFP

Without this, the GP would have ended behind the safety car, without the possibility of overtaking, and the seven-time world champion would have been rewarded.

Mercedes lodged a protest just after the GP but its protest was rejected by the race marshals.

The German team immediately signaled its intention to appeal and has until Thursday at the end of the day to confirm or withdraw its appeal.

This is not suspensive, this will in no way prevent Verstappen from receiving his trophy at the FIA ​​awards gala on Thursday evening.

© 2021 AFP