Daniel Ricciardo and Lance Stroll have expressed puzzlement at the manner in which the late restart at Formula 1’s title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix unfolded.
Race Control initially outlined that lapped cars were not permitted to overtake but then issued a message informing that the five drivers in between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen could unlap themselves.
That freed Lando Norris, the Alpine drivers, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, but Ricciardo, Stroll and Mick Schumacher – the last remaining drivers – were not allowed to unlap themselves.
Mercedes has protested the result of the race – relating to Article 48.12 of the Sporting Regulations – after the last-lap restart led to Verstappen passing Hamilton for the win and the title.
![Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri [McLaren] celebrate their 1-2 finish at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lando-Norris-Oscar-Piastri-McLaren-F1-2025-1-120x86.webp)
The drivers who unlapped themselves, led by Norris, did not make it around to the train in time for the restart, with Norris classifying 51 seconds behind Valtteri Bottas.
The trio who remained a lap down were effectively left outside of contention for points.
“At the end it was kind of weird, they said cars can’t pass, the lapped cars, then some of them did, but then I wasn’t allowed to,” said Ricciardo.
“We did a one-lap restart, I’m sitting right behind Lewis and Max, like, why am I here? I don’t know. It was very interesting.”
Stroll added: “It was a tricky race today and we were not able to benefit from the late Safety Car because we were not waved through to overtake, which was frustrating and I did not understand.
“It was a late chance to make up some places and potentially aim for points after we made the decision to pit again.”
Norris, who classified seventh, said: “I’m not too sure what was said by the FIA, at first we weren’t allowed to overtake, so if that influenced decisions and if that’s the reason they [Mercedes] didn’t do the pit stop, but then the FIA suddenly changed their minds and were allowed to let us past… then that’s where I’m not sure.
“I’ll say congrats to both drivers. In terms of the decision… yeah for it to end like that I’m not so sure.”
![Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri [McLaren] celebrate their 1-2 finish at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lando-Norris-Oscar-Piastri-McLaren-F1-2025-1-350x250.webp)
![Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri [McLaren] celebrate their 1-2 finish at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lando-Norris-Oscar-Piastri-McLaren-F1-2025-1-360x180.webp)
Masi was just making it up as he goes all season. He had no consistency at all the entire season. It’s a shame the title came down to a stewards decision.
Nope – It came down to a Race Director’s decisions to mix and match regulations.
He signalled his intention in the Drivers Briefing by reminding them of regulations and penalties not used this season despite some horrendous incidents, but championship changing.
He’s been bad all season. The Spa “race” was one of the biggest jokes in F1 history. Now he has this finale to add to his list. He completely ignored the restart procedures. He just made it up.
sorry, I’m a big fan of Lando Norris, but I think I watched the wrong race, because in this race is -World Champion-MICHAEL MASI.Please say that’s not true !!!
Too right this guy as been a complete joke all season. I wonder who FIA will let win next season. I’m a big fan of George Russell but guess he’s doomed seeing he now going to drive for Mercedes!!
Yeah I guess 7 Drivers and 8 Constructors in a row obviously mean there is a bias against, and preventing Mercedes from winning anything.
Really????
You’re obviously a verstappen fan, so you’re blinded by the bias the fia has shown toward red bull the entire season, there is no reasoning with you.
Don’t waste any time trying to reason with a Max’s fan. They can do no wrong is their slogan.
Whereas Hamilton’s fans are paragons of impartiality and always display total fairmindedness in all circumstances? Is that what you’re claiming?
F1 has lost a fan today masi is a Dam fool, his blatant disregard of Written F1 rules are amazing, I just wonder what the f1 sponsors think of his antics this year, not to mention the bias he has shown toward red bull, by not punishing verstappen for his wreckless driving the entire season.