MERCEDES TO APPEAL HIGHER
Mercedes are set to appeal against F1 bosses’ decision to REJECT their protests over the result of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Merc star Lewis Hamilton was pipped to the title by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen following a controversial safety car decision on the final lap of the season.
Race director Michael Masi allowed some – but not all – lapped cars to pass the safety car before signalling racing could resume.
Verstappen originally had five cars between him and leader Hamilton before the call to let them pass.
The decision gave the Dutchman clear air from which to attack his British rival and he soon flew past him on a fresher set of tyres.
Fuming Merc chiefs then fought a four-hour battle to have the result overturned following the chequered flag at Yas Marina Circuit.
Their appeal was finally rejected late on Sunday night – but they have now signalled their intention to mount a further legal challenge.
As announced on Sky Sports News, Merc said they would put their case to the FIA court of appeal.
The team have 96 hours to make their submission – if that fails the next step would be to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.