Mercedes have launched a double protest with the FIA after Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021
After triumphing last week, Lewis Hamilton ensured that the F1 2021 season would be determined in the final race of the season. With him and Max Verstappen both level on points ahead of the season finale, the formula was a simple one, the winner of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be cruising his way to the F1 Championship title.
And while Lewis Hamilton looked set to bring home in the win as he lead with just five laps to go, things took a drastic turn of destiny for him as Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barrier in the 53rd lap. With the safety car brought up to clean up from the crash, Red Bull decided the timing was right to deploy fresh soft tyres.
Mercedes Launch Double Protest After The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021
Controversy soon ensured with the FIA deciding that cars could overtake once the car resumed with Verstappen managing to outshine Hamilton on his new tyres to become the first ever Dutchman to win the marquee title.
However Mercedes who won the constructors’ crown for a record eighth year consecutively have now protested two alleged breaches of the sporting regulations when the safety car was deployed late in the race. A statement from the stewards said Mercedes had protested “against the classification established at the end of the competition”, with the team saying there was a breach of article 48.12.
FIA race director Michael Masi had decided that only the five lapped cars between the two title rivals should be allowed to unlap themselves instead of all the lapped cars as is typically done.
The second protest was in breach of article 48.8 with Verstappen’s car moving infront of Hamilton’s before racing resumed
ALSO READ: The Ashes Winners List By Year, Highest Run Scorer, Wicket Taker, Prize Money