Why? Just because Max is now a 2 time back to back champion doesn't mean anyone needs to kowtow to him.
The only thing wrong Ted did was speaking the truth. And the truth hurts for Max. It's a sensitive spot for him and it will be till the end of time.
Even Max knows it something was fishy at Abu Dhabi and he was the beneficiary of the incident. Max had to study exactly the same FIA rules as I did in order to get his license and the rules weren't followed. Everyone on the grid had studied the exact same rulebook too. But most of the fans didn't and they were influenced by Horner or Toto one way or another.
At the time I had written about it, neutrally I might add as I based my judgement only on the rulebook and not the team or the drivers. But some people from the Max fan camp didn't like it and argue about it using Horner's BS. I had stated by merits for the first half of the season or even the complete season as whole, Max deserved to be the champion. But he faltered with repeated mental mistakes and with Hamilton and Mercedes' strategies and tenacity to even got it that close. Max was going to lose the championship, on track to, if not for Masi's incorrect intervention. Hamilton was rightfully robbed, which was the truth.
The Masi argument that 'it's a motor race' don't even holds any water. The moment the FIA rules aren't followed to the letter, it is no long a FIA sanctioned motor race and it's just a circus show. Which it was and the FIA agreed and sacked Masi. That's the end of it. I had also written about what would happen if the whole thing went to the appeal court, and even with them winning, which they will, Hamilton will still no be crown champion. It was a done deal no matter what. Not unlike Maradona's 'Hands of God' infraction. At least Maradona had thicker skin when questioned about it and still took 19 years to admit he cheated. Expect at least 19 years if not 20, when Max retires for him to admit Masi made a mistake to benefit him.
Fans' interest shouldn't overrule the rules of a sport. Rules needed to be followed to the letter.
I mean out of 300mil+ American citizens, I bet a lot would love to see public execution of criminals, should that be broadcasted live now and disregard the laws? Pretty sure that will be a greatest hit than Monday Night Football. Say execution by antiaircraft guns on the first week of the month, death by grenades for the 2nd week of the month, run over by tanks for 3rd week of the month etc. Would that be right? No, because the law doesn't allow it. Would you use upset if a judge says ok this pedophile is going to be executed by stoning, against US laws, cause the 'fans' wanted it? That's exactly what happened at Abu Dhabi.
While I an no fans of Max, I had no problem of him winning the WDC this year. He cleaned up his on track behaviour, he won everything cleanly without outside help, he deserved to be celebrated as WDC. It's his validation for his skill as a driver. And a deserving 2 time champion even when last year he wasn't supposed to be one.
--