Formula One's governing body has changed its safety car rules to avoid a repeat of the controversy that erupted after last year's title-deciding race in Abu Dhabi.
Race director Michael Masi, who was replaced last month, went against procedure in the closing laps at Yas Marina Circuit to allow Red Bull's Max Verstappen to pass Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and take the title on the final lap.
With both drivers tied on points going into 2021's final race, the call effectively denied Hamilton a record eighth championship.
Governing body the FIA has now made it clear "all" lapped cars must un-lap themselves before a restart, rather than the more ambiguous "any".
Masi had allowed the race to resume after only the lapped cars between Verstappen and Hamilton, then leading, had unlapped themselves.
It meant not all drivers in the field were treated equally - as lapped cars between Verstappen and third-placed Carlos Sainz's Ferrari, and others further down the field, were left in place. That allowed enough time for one last lap of racing, with the Dutchman on fresh tyres and able to overtake his title rival.
A second contentious rule from the spillover at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will remain in place, the FIA said. This is the requirement the race must be restarted "at the end of the following lap" after the message is relayed that lapped cars may now overtake.
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Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen arrives at the Yas Marina Circuit before the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. AFP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, arrives ahead of Friday's practice. Reuters -
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton. Reuters -
Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez arrives at the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP -
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto and driver Charles Leclerc arrive ahead of practice. Reuters -
McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo. Reuters -
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Reuters -
Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock before practice. Getty Images -
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands arrives at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi. AP Photo -
Seven-time world champion Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice. Reuters -
Red Bull's Max Verstappen arrives ahead of practice. Reuters -
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain arrives at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi. AP Photo -
Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi arrives at Yas Marina Circuit. Reuters -
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. Reuters -
Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock before practice. Getty Images -
Nicholas Latifi of Canada and Williams walks in the Paddock before practice. Getty Images -
Pierre Gasly of Scuderia AlphaTauri and France with his girlfriend Katerina Imerelli of Spain during practice ahead of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021. Getty Images -
Yuki Tsunoda of Scuderia AlphaTauri and Japan arrives at Yas Marina Circuit during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Getty Images -
Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP walks in the Paddock with his girlfriend cyclist Tiffany Cromwell. Getty Images -
Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing (2) drives on his way to the pitlane before practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit on December 10, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Getty Images -
Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Hitech Grand Prix drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images -
Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Hitech Grand Prix drives during practice at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Oscar Piastri of Australia and Prema Racing drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images -
Jack Doohan of Australia and MP Motorsport (11) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images -
Marino Sato of Japan and Trident (25) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Roy Nissany of Israel and DAMS (16) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Robert Shwartzman of Russia and Prema Racing (1) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images -
Christian Lundgaard of Denmark and ART Grand Prix (9) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images -
Christian Lundgaard of Denmark and ART Grand Prix (9) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images -
Bent Viscaal of Netherlands and Trident (24) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images -
Roy Nissany of Israel and DAMS (16) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Guanyu Zhou of China and UNI-Virtuosi Racing (3) drives during practice ahead of Round 8: Yas Island of the Formula 2 Championship. Getty Images
Masi ignored this rule and restarted the race at the end of the lap on which he had ordered only some lapped cars to pass the leaders. Had he followed the rules, the race would not have restarted and Hamilton would have been world champion.
Masi has since been replaced by two officials, Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who will share the race director job as part of a wider restructuring of the refereeing process.
They will be assisted by FIA stalwart Herbie Blash who will return as permanent senior advisor, having retired in 2016 after 50 years in the sport. Blash was previously assistant to the late race director Charlie Whiting.
The new season starts in Bahrain this weekend.
