We just raced when there was a green light, so that also made it really enjoyable for us to be celebrating.”ĭespite the protests and appeal, Hamilton and Mercedes made a point of congratulating Verstappen in the aftermath, something the Dutch driver was appreciative of. I and the team, we didn’t do anything wrong. For me, nothing really changed,” he said.
“I think it’s a big part of the whole season.
Mercedes on Sunday lodged an intention to appeal against the decision relating to restarting the race for the last lap – which could pave the way for even more drama over the coming weeks.Īs protests and appeals after races have happened before during this drama-filled season, the end to Sunday’s race didn’t take the shine off, says Verstappen.
Verstappen leads Hamilton during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen’s title wasn’t confirmed until long after the end of the race as both teams spent hours in the steward’s box, after Hamilton’s Mercedes team launched two protests against the hotly contested result, which were dismissed by officials. The Dutchman, on new tires, had the pace to overtake his rival on turn five and win one of the most dramatic F1 races ever. It meant the race restarted on the final lap, with Verstappen now allowed to start almost side-by-side with Hamilton, despite the Brit having previously established a healthy lead. The controversy reached its peak when a message from race director Michael Masi initially said lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen would not be allowed to unlap themselves, only for Masi to appear to change his mind moments later, leaving the Red Bull driver right behind Hamilton with fresh tires and just one lap to go. Verstappen re-entered the track with five lapped cars between him and Hamilton. While the Mercedes team decided they couldn’t afford to pit Hamilton in case he would lose his lead, Red Bull did choose to pit Verstappen and got fitted with a new set of soft tires. Why was this weekend's F1 title so controversial? (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Race winner and 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on Decemin Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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