Lewis Hamilton misses out on 8th F1 world title in controversial race
Mercedes are expected to continue appeals
Last updated 13th Dec 2021
Lewis Hamilton, who's from Stevenage, has missed out on an 8th World title after a controversial final race of the season in Abu Dhabi saw Max Verstappen crowned champion.
His team has already had two appeals against the result rejected and Red Bull says it will continue to fight Mercedes.
Verstappen stormed past title rival Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the season-ending race at the Yas Marina Circuit having benefited from a late safety car that bunched up the pack.
Hamilton appeared to be charging to glory, easily holding Verstappen at bay in the closing laps only for a crash for the Williams of Nicholas Latifi to change the course of events.
Confusion reigned as under-fire race director Michael Masi changed his mind to allow lapped cars to pass the safety car – meaning Verstappen had a clear run at Hamilton in the final lap and, on much faster tyres, made his move to claim a first F1 title.
Mercedes immediately launched two appeals against the result, one against Verstappen for allegedly overtaking under a safety car and a second claiming a breach of rules regarding race restarts following a safety car period.
Both were dismissed after the two teams spent hours in the stewards’ office, Verstappen able to toast his title over four hours after crossing the finish line – albeit with Mercedes opting to lodge an intention to appeal the call.
“If they appeal, they appeal,” said Horner.
“We’ll fight them in the appeal court and then in the legal court after that if they were to go that route.
“It (the appeal) obviously felt a little bit desperate but we didn’t want it to finish in front of the stewards.
“They have been great competitors this year and Lewis has been a phenomenal driver. It has had its moments, it has been tense, it has been tough.”
Hamilton acknowledged Verstappen in the small media interview he gave following the race and ahead of the appeals, also sharing an embrace with the man he battled for the championship against in 22 gruelling races this season.