Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said the controversial end to last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had not eroded the trust of the sport's fans as it prepares to embark on a new era at this weekend's season-opener in Bahrain.
Max Verstappen clinched his first title at the Yas Marina season finale after race director Michael Masi altered safety car procedures to move only the lapped cars between the Dutchman and race-leading Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton out of the way.
That allowed Verstappen's Red Bull, on fresher tyres, to pass Hamilton for the win, leaving the Briton feeling robbed of an unprecedented eighth world title and sparking a backlash from fans.