By Matt Morlidge
Last Updated: 12/12/21 4:24pm
Mercedes have lodged two official protests following the hugely dramatic end to the Abu Dhabi GP that saw Max Verstappen move ahead of Lewis Hamilton to clinch the race and title win.
In another twist to an incredible championship, Mercedes have alleged a breach against Verstappen of overtaking Hamilton under the Safety Car, and against the classification after the late decision regarding lapped cars.
Mercedes’ protests follow late controversy at Yas Marina, as a Safety Car wiped out Hamilton’s big advantage out in front and allowed Verstappen to pit for fresh soft tyres but still stay second in the title decider.
There were five lapped cars between Verstappen and Hamilton as of Lap 57 of 58, although F1 Race Control then allowed those cars to un-lap themselves before signalling an end of the Safety Car period, leading to one final lap of the race and championship.
Utilising his tyre advantage, Verstappen passed Hamilton into Turn 5 to, seemingly, clinch his maiden title.
But Mercedes are querying Verstappen’s conduct under the Safety Car, alleging a breach of Article 48.8 of the FIA Sporting Regulations which is: “No driver may overtake another car on the track, including the safety car, until he passes the line for the first time after the safety car has returned to the pits.”
They are also protesting “against the classification established at the end of the competition”, with Article 48.12 of the same regulations stating that “any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car”.
Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll and Mick Schumacher, who had been lapped but were not in between Hamilton and Verstappen like the other five cars, did not un-lap themselves.
More to follow…