Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP
Second Mercedes protest dismissed, Verstappen confirmed as F1 champion
The FIA stewards have announced that Mercedes' protest over the restart of the Formula 1 title decider in Abu Dhabi has not been upheld.
Luke Smith
Edited: Dec 12, 2021, 8:07 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Mercedes lodged two protests with the FIA following the controversial end to the race at the Yas Marina Circuit, including one over the restart of the race with one lap remaining.
Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the last lap to win the race and the championship after race director Michael Masi brought in the safety car with one lap to go.
It means that Verstappen is formally the race winner and the 2021 drivers' champion. Mercedes is yet to comment if it will take further action over the decision.
The stewards' bulletin explained that Mercedes argued there had been a breach of Article 48.12 of the regulations which state 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" and "once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap."
Had this been followed, Mercedes argued that Hamilton would have won the race and the championship, and requested an amendment of the race result under the FIA's International Sporting Code.
The stewards said that although that article may not have been "applied fully" as the safety car came in at the end of the same lap, "Article 48.13 overrides that and once the message 'Safety Car in this lap' has been displayed, it is mandatory to withdraw the safety car at the end of that lap."
The notice added: "That notwithstanding, Mercedes' request that the Stewards remediate the matter by amending the classification to reflect the positions at the end of the penultimate lap, this is a step that the Stewards believe is effectively shortening the race retrospectively, and hence not appropriate.
"Accordingly, the Protest is dismissed."
It was the second protest to be dismissed by the stewards after the race. Mercedes also lodged a protest over Verstappen allegedly overtaking Hamilton behind the safety car before the restart, but this was also dismissed.
Read Also:
- Mercedes protest against Verstappen overtaking under SC dismissed
- Perez in two minds about "crucial" Hamilton defence
- Verstappen wants to stay with Red Bull forever after "unbelievable" F1 title win
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes protest against Verstappen overtaking under SC dismissed
Next article Full FIA stewards' verdict on Mercedes protest over Abu Dhabi GP race restart
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Latest news
Toyota clinches 2026 NASCAR Cup manufacturer championship early after dominant season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
4 h
Toyota clinches 2026 NASCAR Cup manufacturer championship early after dominant season
Tyler Reddick really needed NASCAR Phoenix win for several reasons
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
4 h
Tyler Reddick really needed NASCAR Phoenix win for several reasons
Bubba Wallace laments mistake after heartbreaking Phoenix loss
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
5 h
Bubba Wallace laments mistake after heartbreaking Phoenix loss
NASCAR is getting the championship finish it has pursued since 1992
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
6 h
NASCAR is getting the championship finish it has pursued since 1992
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe