Mercedes have released a statement confirming that they will no longer be appealing Max Verstappen’s victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was quite remarkably stitched up ahead of the final lap of the Formula One season, with race director Michael Masi spoon-feeding Max Verstappen his first World Championship.
Toto Wolff and Mercedes were understandably furious in wake of the race and immediately used their right to appeal with the FIA, who rejected the idea that they had been involved in any sort of wrongdoing, unsurprisingly.
Mercedes had until Thursday evening to determine whether they were going to take their appeal any further, and after careful deliberation, the team released a statement confirming that they were downing the tools.
Team Statement – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/tgrBjrNkcz
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 16, 2021
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Their focus, as it should be, is on reform within the sport and the FIA to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. Verstappen is the Drivers’ champion, which is set in stone, but change is still absolutely necessary.
The stewards should not have the power to manipulate the outcome of a race ahead of the final lap, a lap that ultimately determined the Formula One World Champion. Mercedes will do all in their power to prevent a repeat of the scandal.
