The hot topic facing Masi in Qatar F1 drivers’ briefing

Mercedes saw its petition to get the Brazilian Grand Prix incident involving F1 title rivals Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton reopened rejected by the stewards on Friday following a lengthy deliberation process. 

As the verdict dropped, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff stressed his team’s motivation behind the request was about clearing up what is and is not acceptable driving standards, rather than trying to get Verstappen retrospectively punished. 

“We wanted to trigger discussion around it because probably it will be a theme in the next few races and I think that objective is achieved,” Wolff said during the FIA press conference on Friday. “We didn't really think it would go any further.”

Verstappen and Hamilton both left the track at Turn 4 when the seven-time world champion attempted to overtake his rival around the outside on lap 48. 

The Red Bull driver’s intention behind his controversial defensive manoeuvre was clear, according to Wolff. 

“What you’ve seen on the video is clear to everybody who has ever raced a car, obviously far away from any of the levels that any driver in Formula 1 can do,” he explained. 

“That corner was not meant to be the corner where he stayed on track. He didn’t [mean] to stay on track. So that’s my personal interpretation. 

"But you know, I shouldn’t be judging on anybody’s driver’s driving because if I could, I should sit in the car and not sit on a chair and comment.”

Along with track limits, the matter is expected to be one of the main topics of discussion for Masi to address in Friday’s driver briefing ahead of the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix. 

Prior to the stewards denying Mercedes a right of review, McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl had warned the final outcome will change how drivers race in certain situations. 

Lando Norris was punished for forcing Sergio Perez off-track earlier this year at the Red Bull Ring, despite being ahead and holding onto the racing line. 

“Looking at the case compared with Lando’s case definitely we have some questions,” Seidl said.

“Lando got a penalty in Austria for something which from our point of view was debatable.

“You can definitely argue what happened there was Lando’s corner, different to what we have seen in Brazil, and therefore we are very interested on what they’re deciding a ruling on.

“The outcome of today’s investigation is a different story or different process, but more understanding what Michael will brief to the drivers tonight in the drivers’ briefing on how they see things moving forward.

"I think whatever the outcome is, it will definitely change the approach of the drivers to certain manoeuvres on track. That's why it's interesting to clarify."

On Thursday, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said he would adjust his approach to battling other cars if Verstappen’s move went unpunished. 

"Honestly, I really don't mind [what the outcome is],” the Monegasque said. "But whatever is allowed, then I just want it to be clear as a driver. That's the only thing that matters to me.

"If this is allowed, then overtaking around the outside is going to be very difficult.

"But yeah, whatever the situation, the decision is, I'll just adapt my driving to it; so I'm fine with both."

Meanwhile, AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly stressed the importance of drivers having clear rules laid out following some “quite inconsistent” decisions in recent events. 

“It’s important to really define what the limit is and what the rule is,” Gasly told Sky Sports. “Because it’s been, I must say, quite inconsistent over the last few races with different sort of penalties for similar incidents.”