Red Bull team principal Christian Horner couldn’t resist taking a parting shot at Mercedes in the wake of Max Verstappen’s dramatic Formula One world title victory in Abu Dhabi, claiming their decision to lodge an official protest smacked of ‘desperation’.
Lewis Hamilton had appeared on course for a record eighth championship win as he stretched to a 12-second lead over Verstappen, with the pair level on points, but Sunday’s race took an enormous twist as Nicholas Latifi’s crash saw the safety car introduced with five laps remaining.
Initially, race director Michael Masi said ‘any lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake’, which would have put five cars between second-placed Verstappen and defending champion Hamilton.
But race control subsequently issued a message stating cars could unlap themselves and pass the safety car, leading to a nail-biting one-lap shootout between Hamilton and Verstappen.
Red Bull star Verstappen – who had pitted and was on fresh soft tyres – was able to overtake Hamilton heading into turn five toclinch his maiden championship triumph.
However, the Dutchman’s celebrations were put on hold after Mercedes announced they would be protesting the outcome of the race on two grounds – firstly, for Hamilton being overtaken during the safety car period prior to the restart and, secondly, for officials failing to follow the rules on safety car procedures.
Both appeals were dismissed during a lengthy protest meeting, though, allowing Verstappen and Red Bull to breathe a sigh of relief. Mercedes have since announced their intention to launch a second appeal against the outcome.
Asked whether he understood the reason for Mercedes’ complaints, Horner said: ‘It obviously felt a little bit desperate.
‘But we didn’t want it to finish in front of the stewards.
‘They’ve been great competitors this year and Lewis has been a phenomenal driver.
‘It’s had its moments, it has been tense. It’s been tough. But we’re just delighted with the outcome.
‘I’m very proud of Max tonight. He has been phenomenal all year.’
A Red Bull spokesperson had earlier said: ‘We are a Formula 1 team. We came here to race. We did not come here with a QC (barrister) to protest.’
Gracious in defeat, Hamilton made sure to pass on his congratulations to Verstappen before praising the efforts of his team across a ‘difficult’ season.
Firstly congratulations to Max and his team,’ the veteran Brit said.
‘I think we did an amazing job this year.
‘The team, everyone back at the factory, all the men and women we have, worked so hard all year in a difficult season. I am so proud of them, and so grateful to be part of the journey with them.
‘We gave it everything this last part of the season and never gave up, that’s the most important thing.
‘Of course I have felt great in the car this past couple of months, particularly at the end. I hope everyone stays safe in the pandemic and has good Christmas during this time and we’ll see about next year.’
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