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Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes give notice of intention to appeal after protest over Max Verstappen’s F1 title win thrown out

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MERCEDES are set to appeal against F1 bosses’ decision to REJECT their protests over the result of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Merc star Lewis Hamilton was pipped to the title by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen following a controversial safety car decision on the final lap of the season.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen embraced in parc ferme – but Mercedes are set to appeal the Dutchman’s world titleCredit: Getty

Hamilton had been leading for most of the race before Nicholas Latifi’s smash five laps from the end saw the safety car deployed.

Race director Michael Masi initially said ‘any lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake’ while the safety car was out.

At that point Verstappen and Hamilton were separated by five backmarkers who the Dutchman would have had to weave through before challenging for the lead.

But on the penultimate lap, Masi CHANGED his mind and allowed just those five cars to unlap themselves to put Verstappen right behind Hamilton.

The decision gave the Red Bull man clear air from which to attack his British rival and he soon flew past him on a fresher set of tyres.

Fuming Merc chiefs then fought a four-hour battle to have the result overturned following the chequered flag at Yas Marina Circuit.

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Mercedes’ protest was based on two regulations: Article 48.12 and Article 48.8 of the F1 Sporting Regulations.

Their appeal was finally rejected late on Sunday night – but they have now signalled their intention to mount a further legal challenge.

As announced on Sky Sports News, the team said they would put their case to the FIA court of appeal.

Merc have 96 hours to make their submission – if that fails the next step would be to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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