Courtesy: F1
No competitive world class sport that actually involves close tussles and immensity of competition can operate sans controvery or drama. At times, all of it seems needless and it is, really. But at times, you also do feel that many can make what seems to be 'human error'.
Nonetheless, all these dramatic incidents and happenings hold the power to change the nature of the ongoing contest, impact sportstars, F1 drivers in this case, and ultimately change the narrative altogether, especially when one least expected some drama!
That being said, what have been some of F1's most strange and dramatic big controversies of all time?
The five biggest controversies in Formula 1 that shocked fans:
1.The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
In the closing stages of what can now perhaps be called the most dramatic and controversial F1 race of all time or if not, then that of the last three decades (put together), there was a controversial call made by the then F1 race director, Michael Masi at the season's last race.
There was an incident in the second half of the race involving Nicholas Latifi that one could say, altered the course of the entire race and then, the world title fight in that the incident involved a really controversial call made by Michael Masi.
He allowed only a partial number of cars to unlap themselves befor the re-start of the Abu Dhabi seaon-finale in 2021.
That meant that the driver then in front and leading the race, which then was Lewis Hamilton, not on fresher tires when compared to Max Verstappen, who was following behind albeit on fresher tyres (from a very recent pit stop) was a sitting duck for the Red Bull.
Verstappen, then with just a lap to go, had to catch Hamilton, as both fought valiantly for their respective titles.
One had his maiden world title in his mind while the other was gearing up to grab his eighth. In then end, Verstappen caught up with a highly under-pressure Hamilton, whose race had been compromised all thanks to the controversial Michael Masi-made call and Verstappen fended off immense pressure to reach the checkered flag first to claim his maiden F1 title. He'd take three more thereafter and currently has four world titles. Hamilton, who could so easily have become bitter given how unjustly his race was treated, constantly tried to fight to claim another title.
But to this day, stands next to seven career world titles, despite being F1's most successful driver statistically. His search for another world title has since Abu Dhabi 2021 fiasco, become an elusive one!
2. F1's spygate controversy
The year was 2007. A disgruntled Ferrari figure in the team's garage or contingent or camp, however one would want to put it, was alleged to have shared confidential information from the Italian stable to the English racing stable of McLaren. This immensely helped the English team.
What was bizzare was that the team kept defending its position that nothing unruly or unreasonable had occurred on its end.
Further controversy erupted when it was found out that Renault, the supremely respected French constructor, too obtained information about McLaren's machines for the year 2006 and even 2007.
The FIA intervened and actually found out information about McLarne's wrongdoing and the iconic British constructor was reprimanded by way of being struck by a heavy penalty.
3. Schumacher vs Villeneuve in 1997
Michael Schumacher's standing as an icon of the sport and a real legend of F1 (91 race wins) will forever remain intact and supreme albeit with the purists noting that even the much-celebrated German giant of F1, was often, if not always, in the wrong.
In the year 1997 and during its Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, drama unfolded rather spectacularly and surprisingly unbeknownst to all on lap 48.
As Schumacher, race and world title leader at that point, found immense pressure from behind with Jacques Villeneuve rapidly catching up, he would, in an attempt to defend his track position, collide with the catching car.
This took him out of the race with the trailing Williams-Renault then firmly in control of the proceedings to win the title in the end.
But a question remains that has since then underlined the legendary driver's act on that very day:
What if Schumacher, who could have led to a serious crash for Villeneuve with his Williams, been dealt with or treated had his strangely dangerous antics led to a big crash for the Canadian driver?
How would the not-so-taciturn world of F1 had reacted then?
Not all world champs in F1 carry spotless reputations, do they?
Oh wait, the likes of Hamilton in all his world championship winning seasons and Kimi, as seen in 2007, have been fair-haven't they?
4. Rosberg vs Hamilton 2016 Spanish Grand Prix
At the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, in the run up to a fast paced corner, right at the start, the two warring Mercedes drivers, who were almost at a state of war, given how closely and valiantly they had been locked in a fight up to that point, collided. Many said, then Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was responsible for the accident none saw coming. Many others felt it was Lewis Hamilton's fault. Regardless, Rosberg was trolled and called out on public platforms where fans rage with each other and exchange what are not exactly pleasantries.
However, the team's senior figure, and a great giant of the sport, Niki Lauda, the late great and multiple world champion, called out the incident as being Hamilton's fault. He would even explain an unhappy Lewis in the aftermath of the Spanish Grand Prix where neither drivers scored any points and suffered big resulting from the dramatic collision.
This incident, nonetheless, expanded the gulf of difference and acrimony between two drivers who had, at one point, been good friends.
5. "Fernando is faster than you" 2010 German GP
Originally, the man in control of the race at Germany's Hockenheimring was Sebastian Vettel. He would start from pole. Massa, then Alonso's Ferrari teammate was down in third while Alonso, the famed and incredible Spanish talent, also a double world champion by that time, began from second.
Now, during a criticial juncture of the race, it wasn't Vettel but Ferrari's very own and impressive Massa who was out in the lead. But there was a problem. The always ballsy and always daring Alonso, his teammate, was behind in second and sought his own chances at winning.
But whether or not Massa was actually the slower of the two Ferraris at that point in time, it was told clearly to him over team radio to let "Fernando Alonso" through as "Alonso is faster than you" were the clear use of words.
Eventually, Massa, disgruntled and maybe shocked or stunned, slowed down and let Alonso through, who'd win the German Grand Prix.
But in the aftermath, during the very race's presser, Alonso was asked if he was given or simply handed the win with interviewers alluding to the fact that he was presented the race victory in a basket. He would, of course, deny feeling that he was the quicker of the two Ferraris.
But by self-admission, Massa expressed his disappointment and confessed that the entire scenario really hampered his self belief and confidence, which took a hit.
Not hard to understand that, right?
