Mercedes’ complaint partially rejected by the FIA
The FIA rejects Mercedes' request for sanctions regarding the face-off between Hamilton and Verstappen under the Safety Car.
White smoke came out of the FIA offices in Abu Dhabi. Three hours after the official filing of a complaint on Sunday, December 12th, Mercedes did not succeed in their claim, regarding the specific incident between Verstappen and Hamilton under the Safety Car regime, in support of Article 48.8 of the FIA.
The FIA has thus expressed the following decision:
« The commissioners first declared that the protest is admissible.
After examining the various statements made by the parties, the commissioners determine that: Even if the car 33 moved a short period of time in front of th care 44. At a time when both cars were accelerating and braking, she then came back behind car 44. Car 33 was also not in front of car 44 when the Safety Car period ended. Therefore, the complaint is rejected. »
Consequence, Max Verstappen keeps his victory and, most importantly, the title of world champion of drivers. The FIA still has to express itself on the other appeal made by Mercedes, regarding the restart after the 57th lap Safety Car.
