Lance Stroll has slammed the "ridiculous" ending to the 2021 Formula 1 season and called for the sport's law-makers to make sure the rules and regulations are crystal clear heading into the new campaign.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the climax of what had been a thrilling season, and ended with Max Verstappen becoming a world champion for the first time.
But it was mired in controversy as Lewis Hamilton, who had led for much of the race, lost out through decisions made by race director Michael Masi.
Hamilton and Mercedes were left fuming as Masi allowed back markers between Verstappen and the leader to move past the pack, before ending the safety car period early so racing could resume for the final lap.
When refusing Mercedes' protests after the race, the stewards cited a rule which gives the race director the power to deploy and withdraw the safety car as he sees fit.
Hamilton was the most high-profile victim of the circumstances as it meant he lost the race and the world title, but Aston Martin racer Stroll was among those who had also been affected.
He was one of a few who had pitted for fresh soft tyres when the safety car came out, and was ready to attack on new rubber when racing was allowed to resume.
However, despite waving those back-markers between Verstappen and Hamilton through, Masi did not allow other lapped cars to move on.
That meant Stroll was a long way behind those classified ahead of him when racing resumed, scuppering his chances of challenging for points from 13th place.
The Canadian has now called for the rules around Safety Car deployment to be set in stone so such a contentious scenario cannot arise again.
"My opinion is that it's ridiculous that we didn't go back racing the way that we should have gone back," Stroll told The Race . "You can't change the rules halfway through, at the end of a race, and tell half the cars they can overtake.
"Unfortunately, I was part of the group of the other half of the cars and couldn't overtake on brand new soft tyres with the opportunity to pass and maybe do something.
"It's just never been done before and it's important that we keep rules consistent.
"I understand it's great to go racing and everyone wants to see the last lap of the race and the two drivers fighting for the world championship go head-to-head with one lap to go, but we can't be making up rules at the end of a race, that has to be set in stone.
"If there was maybe an error where cars didn’t pass soon enough when the safety car came out or backmarkers weren't allowed to pass the safety car early enough and the consequence is we won't get the whole lap of racing well, then that's how it is.
"That is the rule, the rules have to be consistent. In Formula 1 we've seen some inconsistency in penalties and decision making and I think this was maybe a little bit too much. It's important that those things are set in stone."
