Formula 1 rule changes put in place for 2022 after Abu Dhabi safety car fiasco
Formula 1 has revised the safety car rules around lapped cars, following the controversial finish to the 2021 world championship in Abu Dhabi.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen claimed the title after passing Lewis Hamilton on the final lap, in a race that Mercedes contends should not have been restarted.
The race director, Australia's Michael Masi, brought the safety car into the pits with one lap remaining, despite the fact only the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen had been moved out of the way, with those cars behind Verstappen remaining in place.
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The rule stated that 'any' lapped driver may be given the order to unlap themselves while the safety car is out.
Masi subsequently lost his job as race director.
Just days out from the season-opening race in Bahrain, the FIA has updated the safety car regulations, stating that 'all' lapped cars 'will be required' to unlap themselves, removing any ambiguity in the rule.
Among other regulation changes for 2022, drivers will be required to stay in their overalls for the podium ceremony and post-race interviews.
