Lewis Hamilton has led the F1 decider from beginning to end but an astounding call has handed Max Verstappen a wild world championship.
Mercedes has lodged an intent to appeal after making complaints about how the race operated when the safety car came out, and it could be days before an official conclusion is reached.
It looked as though Verstappen would have five lapped drivers in between him and Hamilton as the race wound down, making it nearly impossible to overtake. That was until a call came through from officials that the lapped drivers could overtake the safety car, allowing Verstappen to sidle up next to Hamilton for the final lap once debris and marshals were cleared from the track.
Just before he got out of the car, Verstappen said: “This is unbelievable guys, can we do this for another 10 to 15 years together?”Verstappen showers Christian Horner in champagne. Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / POOL / AFPRed Bull were rapt, hugging and celebrating, while Mercedes were devastated and team boss Toto Wolff was furious. The Silver Arrows lodged two protests in the aftermath, believing they’d been robbed.
Mercedes’ other protest related to Article 48.12 of the sporting reguations, which says “any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car”. “That although Article 48.12 may not have been applied fully, in relation to the safety car returning to the pits at the end of the following 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.
“It has been an amazing year. We are incredibly proud of Max and the whole team. He’s the world champion, he’s the deserving world champion,” Horner said.
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