F1 news LIVE: Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton appeal dealt FIA blow as Bernie Ecclestone speaks

Max Verstappen prevails in world title shoot-out

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Max Verstappen’s controversial Drivers’ Championship triumph over Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday has sparked plenty of discussions over FIA race director Michael Masi’s handling of the situation. Mercedes lodged notice of their intention to appeal shortly after the end of the contest, which saw Hamilton pipped to the title on the very last lap after a late safety car period.

Masi initially declared that lapped cars would not be allowed to unlap themselves under the safety car after Nicholas Latifi crashed during the closing stages of the race.

However, the 42-year-old went on to reverse his original decision shortly before the restart, giving Verstappen a clear run at Hamilton for the one-lap shootout that followed.

The Dutchman managed to squeeze ahead before defending his rival’s last-gasp advances to clinch the end-of-season honours in dramatic fashion.

Mercedes responded by launching two protests with regards to the last-lap fiasco which have since been turned down by the FIA.

Express Sport is on hand to provide live updates throughout the day as the dust begins to settle on Sunday’s historic race.

Bernie weighs in

Former F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has jumped to the defence of FIA race director Michael Masi despite suggesting that he is not the right man for the job on a long-term basis.

“In many cases he was overwhelmed with his job all season and maybe shouldn’t have had it at all,” Ecclestone told Bild.

“In the end, though, he made the right decision to let Lewis and Max race against each other again on the last lap.

“It would have been unfair to end such a season and such a finish with the safety car.

“Hamilton would have been world champion and all the fans would have said: ‘What are these stupid stewards doing?’

“No, he did the right thing in this case.”

Good morning

Hello and welcome to Express Sport‘s live coverage of all the fallout and best reaction after Sunday’s title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The clock is still ticking for Mercedes to formally appeal the FIA’s decision to reject their earlier protests after informing the governing body of their desire to do so after the race.

However, it has been reported that the Silver Arrows could soon be set to scrap their plans to dispute the result.

Stay with us for all the latest news and updates from the world of F1 throughout the day.

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