Fans and pundits have taken aim at F1 chiefs for allegedly trying to “manufacture drama” for Drive to Survive.
Mercedes-Benz bosses were left furious – to the point of instructing a top sports lawyer – after Max Verstappen controversially pipped title rival Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 championship in yesterday’s dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A jaw-dropping finish to the race was witnessed by over 7.4million spectators in the UK. Michael Masi, race director allowed lapped cars pass Hamilton with a safety car. It set up an exciting last lap matchup with Verstappen.
Masi set up an amazing photo and a compelling story, but Mercedes furiously protested that Masi had not followed safety rules.
Masi could decide how the safety car should be used, according to the FIA – F1’s governing body.
It has led fans and pundits to wonder if the goal was to create drama to match the intense F1 season.
Masi’s move would be a great storyline for Drive to Survive. This riveting Netflix documentary has attracted many new fans to the sport.

Race director Michael Masi, pictured, called the safety car after debris was scattered across the track. He then gathered the group in the last laps.

Mercedes-Benz bosses were furious and had to instruct a sports lawyer after Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton (pictured) to yesterday’s drama finale in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen, using much more fresh tyres (pictured), breezed by Lewis Hamilton (7-time champion) on the final lap to claim the win and the first F1 World title.

Fans and pundits have questioned whether Masi’s decision was to create a dramatic ending to match the drama of F1 this season. Masi’s move would have created a compelling storyline for Drive to Survive, (pictured), which is a fascinating behind-the-scenes Netflix documentary that attracted many new fans to F1 this season.
Jordan Bianchi wrote for The Athletic and was among those that criticised Masi’s decision.
He wrote: ‘Masi’s flimsy justification to (Toto) Wolff (Mercedes-Benz’s team principle) along with his refusal to speak to the media afterward only further undermines any confidence that Masi is capable of effectively officiating a race.
‘He might as well just have said “because I said so.” Or that he wanted to make sure Netflix gets another juicy storyline for the next season of Drive to Survive.
“All that does is reduce what Verstappen achieved.” What the Dutchman accomplished should not be minimized.
Other people also claimed the same, such as Paul Ryding (Hong Kong-based journalist) who tweeted: “The irony of it all, F1 probably believe the “thrilling final” they created on the fly to air Drive to Survive next season would attract more viewers.
“In reality, the season had been captivating enough that the concocted ending would have turned off a lot people from the sport.
The debate was also attended by high-profile F1 enthusiasts, such as Trevor Noah (South African comedian), host of The Daily Show, a popular US satire program.
He said, “Terrible results for Lewis Hamilton (F1.)” The championship was decided in the last race. There were many online arguments about the rules and dramatic end to Drive to Survive.
It’s better to have a controversial sport than one that is boring.
The debate was also involving Tim Shipman (Chief Political Commentator at Sunday Times), Twitter user Tim Shipman wrote, “That’s going back to court.” He tweeted: ‘That’s going to court.
“They decided to create a conclusion to Drive to Survive.” Most of the year, I support Verstappen. Lewis deserves it.
Metro’s F1 journalist Adam Haynicholls replied that the move could be avoided if the race ends behind a safety vehicle.
He stated that he felt the need to make sure an extraordinary season was not ruined by the safety car.
Red Bull was given a bad rap for the Turn 1 accident, but they won the lottery on lap 58. Safety cars are unpredictable. Sometimes you’re lucky, and other times you’re not.
Others joined the discussion, some sharing memes and pictures about the outcome. One fan, sharing a picture of Ant and Dec with a microphone, wrote: ‘Drive to Survive producers to the FIA.’
Even Netflix was in the act, tweeting: “Someone should make this a documentary.”





Drive to Survive is an Netflix documentary that takes you behind the scenes of F1 teams, and their drivers.
It was directed by James Gay-Rees (British film director, and the filmmaker of Senna), who also directed the F1 documentary Senna. The movie tells the story of Formula One’s ups and downs from the perspective of the people involved.
It followed the 2018 season and was first to air in 2019. It was a difficult season because major teams such as Ferrari and Mercedes were not allowed to access Netflix. Instead, the series focused on the challenges faced by Red Bull and the struggles of Haas F1 Team.
The show was such a success, that even more people joined it. In Season Three, Lewis Hamilton, his Mercedes team, and other interview subjects were featured on the show.
American viewers have been flocking to F1 ever since Drive to Survive launched to spark a great interest in the show.
ESPN reported that its average viewer per race has risen from 547,000 viewers in 2018 to 9228,000 by 2021.
F1 has been a strong connection in Britain for many years. This season, Hamilton and Verstappen’s thrilling title battle, has helped to rekindle interest.
There was a peak audience of 7.4million across C4 and Sky at the race’s climax yesterday, which was a 60 per cent audience share.
The grandstand was closed yesterday after Hamilton, seven-time champion of the world, attempted to claim eight titles.
Verstappen was a younger Dutch racer, which led to many high-profile incidents and crashes.
Silverstone was where the collision occurred. Verstappen flew into a barrier and hit it at high speed. Verstappen required hospital treatment. Hamilton was subject to a penalty for the accident.
They crashed in Italy again, Verstappen’s car ending up on Hamilton’s. It was a horrible collision that ended both of their races.
The title race was at fever pitch last weekend in Saudi Arabia when Hamilton and Al-Hayat collided once more, sparking much controversy. Hamilton was victorious in the race, and Hamilton tied the points for the season’s finale.
More controversy arose on Abu Dhabi’s lap 1, when Hamilton took a turn after Verstappen had forced him wide. Masi overruled Red Bull’s appeals.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s boss described it as a sporting miracle. Hamilton was 11 seconds ahead, and the race had been moving along quickly. However, Williams driver Nicolas Latifi crashed against a barrier.

The pair collided at Silverstone, Verstappen hitting a barrier and flying through it. Verstappen was left with serious injuries that required hospitalization. Hamilton was punished for his collision

In Italy, Verstappen’s car crashed onto Hamilton’s. It was a horrible collision that ended in both of their races.

The title race was at fever pitch last weekend in Saudi Arabia when Hamilton and Al-Hayat collided once more, sparking much controversy. Hamilton was victorious in the race, and the points were level for yesterday’s final. Pictured: Hamilton and Verstappen fight it out in Jeddah
The track was littered with debris, so race director Masi called the safety car and gathered the rest of the field in the closing laps.
Mercedes was certain that the race would be stopped under the safety car and did not want to let Verstappen take the lead. However, Mercedes decided to stop Hamilton from being pitted for newer tyres. Red Bull gambled, and pulled Verstappen in the pit lane, while Hamilton continued.
Masi abruptly announced that he would use the safety car in one more race lap.
Contrariously, Verstappen also let a few cars lapped Hamilton by the safety car past it, giving him a clear advantage over the British driver.
Verstappen won the race on fresher tyres and he was able to pass the seven-time champion in the last lap.
Mercedes believed all lapped cars should have been allowed through, rather than just the ones between Hamilton and Verstappen. The safety car would have stopped the race at this point, and it would have been at least another lap.
The rules stated that safety cars should be pulled after laps have been completed. Hamilton would therefore have won under safety cars.
Mercedes expressed outrage at yesterday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix decision to allow Hamilton and Verstappen cars.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, was audible shouting at Mase as the cars raced on the final lap. This was wrong.
Hamilton’s fellow teammate next year, Williams, George Russell, tweeted that “THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!”
Max is an amazing driver and has enjoyed an exceptional season. Although I admire Max tremendously, what has just occurred is unacceptable. It’s unbelievable what I’ve seen.
After the race Mercedes lodged two protests to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) – the governing body of F1 – over Masi’s decision.
Yesterday Wolff was in discussions with Paul Harris QC (a prominent sports lawyer who has represented Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City) about the matter.
Toto Wolff, the team principal, was in discussions with Paul Harris, QC, the barrister of the team. Harris is a leading sports lawyer, who has represented Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City.
Mercedes stated that they had filed an appeal. After their first protest to the safety car incident, Hamilton lost the victory. This happened four hours later.
According to one insider, there was no other legal route. Mercedes will have 96 hours for confirmation on whether or not they will appeal.
MailOnline reached out to F1, the FIA, and Netflix for a comment.