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Mercedes launch TWO protests to FIA and get barrister to investigate after Lewis Hamilton loses F1 title on final lap

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MERCEDES are protesting the outcome of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton was pipped to the championship on the final lap of the season.

The British superstar was overtaken by title rival Max Verstappen after a controversial safety car decision at Yas Marina Circuit.

Lewis Hamilton was pipped to the title by Max VerstappenCredit: Reuters

Hamilton was leading by more than ten seconds before the safety car appeared on lap 54 when Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers.

Dutch flier Verstappen chased down Hamilton on the final lap having earlier pitted for fresher tyres than the Merc man.

The safety car entered the pit lane with one lap remaining – and that freed up Verstappen for one final crack at the leader Hamilton.

But there was controversy surrounding the timing of the safety car’s withdrawal after several lapped cars were allowed past.

Stewards had initially indicated lapped cars in between Hamilton and Verstappen would stay in their current formation.

That would have left Verstappen with five cars to get past before reaching Hamilton for a shot at the lead.

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But stewards controversially reversed the call and allowed lapped cars through – giving the Red Bull man clear air behind the leader.

There is also an appeal over calims Verstappen appeared to overtake Hamilton before the safety car had cleased the track.

Verstappen then capitalised on his fresher tyres to snatch the lead and leave Hamilton struggling on his older set of rubber.

Merc boss Toto Wolff could be seen ranting in the paddock and blasted race director Michael Masi over the radio.

And his team have launched protests on two counts – officially ‘relating to alleged breaches of Articles 48.8 and 48.12 of the FIA Sporting Regulations’.

Reports even suggest Mercedes have a BARRISTER looking over the incident to help their protest cases.

Max Verstappen SNATCHES F1 world title from Lewis Hamilton on last lap in dramatic and controversial season ender

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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