Mercedes are set to announce they are dropping the appeal against the FIA regarding the controversial end to the 2021 season after Sir Lewis Hamilton reportedly told his team he does not want to win an unprecedented eighth world title in court.
Red Bull star Max Verstappen secured a maiden world title in dramatic and controversial circumstances at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. Both he and title rival Hamilton went into the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit tied on points.
The Dutchman passed the seven-time world champion - who had dominated for much of the race - on the final lap after a late Safety Car and tyre change swung momentum in his favour. The 24-year-old made the move on the Brit early in the lap and held on to secure the first championship of his career.
The controversial ending has seen Mercedes lodge two protests that were quickly dismissed by the FIA. Last night, the World Motor Sport Council appeared to make peace with Mercedes by announcing their commitment to learn lessons from the ‘tarnished’ 2021 season.
They are hoping to avoid a Mercedes court appeal, which must be lodged by 7pm on Thursday. But according to the MailOnline , Hamilton, who is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most titles in F1 history with seven world championships, reportedly does not want to win the record-breaking title in court.
This comes despite Mercedes’ lawyer, Paul Harris QC, believing he has an overwhelming case to present, although the Brit - who was knighted at Windsor Castle by the Prince of Wales on Wednesday - is not confident the FIA’s International Court of Appeal would overturn their own decision.
The FIA released a statement following talks between president Jean Todt and secretary general Peter Bayer with Mercedes. It read: “'The 2021 FIA F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has prompted a large number of reactions from the F1 community, as well as in the public.
“The circumstances surrounding the use of the safety car following the incident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and related communications between the FIA race direction team and the F1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from F1 teams, drivers and fans, an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the championship.
“Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on lap 53, and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA president proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place.
“This will be discussed and addressed with all the teams and drivers to draw any lessons from this situation and clarity to be provided to the participants, media and fans about the regulations to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the drivers.
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“Following that presentation and an extensive discussion, the World Council has decided to unanimously support the president's proposal.”
The controversial ending to what was an incredible season has seen FIA race director Michael Masi heavily criticised for his role in the outcome of the championship.
Masi made a series of questionable calls but none more so than the decision to not allow cars to unlap themselves, as is tradition, only to change his mind to set up the final lap showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen on Sunday.
The Australian is reportedly under pressure to retain his job just three years since taking over after the sudden death of Charlie Whiting.
