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ABU DHABI – It goes without saying that Max Verstappen has had an exceptional 2021 season and one of the best battles in Formula One history against seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton despite FIA race director Michael Masi having made a controversial decision to award the world championship title to the Dutchman following the drama caused on the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
A late safety car seemed to have changed the race − with the FIA deciding that lapped cars could not unlap themselves, which allowed Verstappen − who had fresher, superior tyres − to move right behind Hamilton with one lap to go.
Despite launching two protests − Mercedes’ appeal against Verstappen for allegedly overtaking under a safety car and a second one that claimed the rules had been breached regarding race restarts following a safety car period – the automotive manufacturer was left disappointed as the 24-year-old was eventually awarded the prize by the FIA.
Although British driver Lewis Hamilton might have failed to register a record-breaking eighth world championship, his after-race gesture won the hearts of many Dutch fans, according to firstsportz.com.
According to Dutch website F1 maximal, Hamilton had actually asked the Silver Arrows to withdraw their protests following the epic encounter but Mercedes appeared to press ahead with their plans to appeal. Although Verstappen has been named champion by the FIA, the backlash is set to continue in the coming days ahead.
It took the FIA four hours to come to a decision on Sunday with Formula One fans from around the globe enduring an anxious wait. – Agencies, December 14, 2021
