Originally Posted by
Dee Hubbs
Let me try to explain.
When the safety car comes out, you cannot pass, and they group up and close the gap.
BUT there were lapped cars in between Hamilton and Verstappen....
So with only 1 or 2 laps remaining race control typically has 2 options,
Option 1 - let ALL the lapped cars pass the safety car, and restart the race with Pos 1 and Pos 2 etc in order.
Option 2- start the race with the lapped cars in place, and the lapped cars need to yield to faster cars (non lapped) behind them.
The controversy is that race control did not command the lapped cars to pass the safety car, so it seemed that they would restart the race with Option 2, and Hamilton would have had the advantage.
If they tried to go with Option 1 it would have taken 2 full laps to get the lapped cars in order, and the race would have ended under yellow a flag, with Hamilton winning.
Race Control pulled Option 3 and only told the 5 lapped (only those between Ver and Ham) cars to pass the safety, putting Verstappen right behind Hamilton to be able to race 1 lap to the finish.
Race Control wanted a checkered flag decided on racing, not following a pace car to decide the championship.
Please correct me if I'm wrong in my understanding of how it played out.