“It’s okay to end the race under VSC”: Lewis Hamilton fans react to Azerbaijan Grand Prix’s ending, connect it to 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

Lewis Hamilton fans questioned the FIA's different stance on the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the latter of which concluded under the Virtual Safety Car after Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez's collision. Sunday's race at Baku saw Oscar Piastri claim victory at Baku City Circuit after Perez and Sainz collided in Lap 50 of 51.

Immediately after the crash, the FIA brought in a Virtual Safety Car, which remained till the end of the race.

In response, several Hamilton fans questioned the F1 governing body on social media. They asked how the FIA made two different decisions in two scenarios involving crashes near the end of the race.

Notably, Michael Masi was the then-race director of the FIA who ordered a safety car after Nicholas Latifi crashed. He then allowed the Stewards to clear the debris and let Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have a lap race shootout to decide the championship.

In the end, the seven-time world champion lost the battle against Verstappen. And three and a half years later, the pain seemingly continues to hurt Lewis Hamilton fans.

Below are some reactions from fans who reacted to the VSC finish at Baku:

"Turns out, it is okay to end the race under Virtual Safety Car (VSC). How interesting."

"Robbery we know it 2021," another fan wrote pointing out the night in Abu Dhabi.

"It was always permitted to finish like this. Except in 2021 when Masi decided differently," a fan wrote.

However, some fans had different feedback on the Lewis Hamilton incident.

"It's been almost 3 years guys, let it go," a fan wrote.

"A race yes! NOT a championship!" another fan wrote pointing out the difference between two situations.

"Hamilton fan? There were literally 2 crashed cars on track and a shitload of carbon debris," a fan wrote emphasizing how the Baku track was not suitable for a normal race.

That said, the two incidents are not identical. The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Nicholas Latifi crash with five laps to go, while in Azerbaijan, Checo and Sainz crashed on the penultimate lap.

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How did the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix pan out for Lewis Hamilton and others?

Charles Leclerc (L) of Ferrari, Oscar Piastri (second from right) of McLaren, and George Russell (R) of Mercedes after the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan. Source: Getty

Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, and Carlos Sainz were involved in a four-way battle for the lead of the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix race at Baku. While Piastri pulled away thanks to the brilliant grip of his MCL38, Leclerc fell back in the battle with Perez and Sainz.

Towards the end of the race Leclerc, Perez and Sainz fought for P2, and the Monegasque managed to keep his lead. However, Sainz's sudden appearance ahead of Perez changed things drastically for the Red Bull driver.

The #11 and #55 cars came very close to each other due to the dirty air of Leclerc's SF-24, and suffered a high-speed collision. The two crashed into each other and got slammed against the barrier on the left of the track.

Leclerc followed Piastri in P2, and George Russell wrapped up the podium. Championship protagonists Lando Norris and Max Verstappen came home in P4 and P5, respectively and Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line in P9.