By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mercedes have decided not to pursue their appeal against the results of the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Their move follows a decision by governing body the FIA to conduct a “detailed analysis” of the end of the race and an admission it was “tarnishing” Formula 1’s image.
Mercedes said they “welcomed” the move and would “hold the FIA accountable”.
Max Verstappen’s Red Bull overtook Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes on the last lap to clinch the drivers’ title.
Mercedes had two protests rejected by F1 officials on Sunday, with the team arguing race director Michael Masi did not apply the rules correctly.
Mercedes said it had been in “constructive dialogue” with the FIA since the race in an attempt to “create clarity for the future”.
The team were satisfied with the decision to “thoroughly analyse what happened in Abu Dhabi and to improve the robustness of rules, governance and decision making in Formula 1”.
In a lengthy statement, they said they “welcomed” the FIA inviting teams and drivers to take part in the investigation.
Mercedes said that they protested against the results of the race “because the safety car regulations were applied in a new way that affected the race result, after Lewis had been in a commanding lead and on course to win the World Championship”.
Masi made two key decisions that appear to be against the rules.
He chose to allow only some of the lapped cars that were interspersed through the order past the leading cars.
He also did not follow the stipulations in the rules around the timing of the restart of the race once the lapped cars had been allowed through.
These decisions meant that not all drivers in the field were treated equally – Verstappen had a clear run at Hamilton, for example, but there were still lapped cars between the Dutchman and third-placed Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari – and they ensured the safety car came in a lap earlier than it should have done according to the rules.
The FIA initially defended Masi’s decisions. The stewards, in rejecting Mercedes’ protests on Sunday, claimed the next clause in the rules allowed Masi to do what he did, and cited a rule that gave him authority over the safety car.
But the FIA’s decision to launch a review of the events of the race is an effective admission that mistakes were made.
The FIA’s statement did not mention Masi, whose actions in the race are at the centre of the controversy. His future as race director is in doubt.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff criticised Masi on Thursday for his decision-making.
“I am not interested in having a conversation with Masi,” Wolff said.
“The decisions that have been taken in the last four minutes of this race have robbed Lewis of a deserved world championship.
“Entertainment should follow sport and no decision should happen contrary to the rules just to spice up the action.”
Meanwhile according to the UK newspaper, Hamilton has informed Mercedes that he does not want to win what would be a record eighth World Championship title via the courts and, as a result, his team are prepared to acknowledge that request.
Sir Lewis Hamilton is knighted by Prince Charles at Windsor Castle ?#AriseSirLewisHamilton
pic.twitter.com/Scehnv99p1— Sir Lewis Hamilton Updates (@SirLewisUpdates) December 15, 2021
This latest report came hours after the FIA released a lengthy statement promising a full investigation into the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, perhaps a last-minute effort from the governing body to persuade Mercedes not to go down the legal route.
Part of the statement read: ‘Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on Lap 53 of the Grand Prix 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 matter 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 current regulations to preserve the competitive nature of our sport while ensuring the safety of the drivers and officials.
It is not only Formula 1 that may benefit from this analysis, but also more generally all the other FIA circuit championships.
‘Following that presentation and an extensive discussion, the World Council has decided to unanimously support the President’s proposal.
‘The FIA will therefore do its utmost to have this in motion within the Formula 1 governance and will propose to the Formula 1 Commission to give a clear mandate for study and proposal to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the support of Formula 1 drivers, so that any identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.’
The deadline for the Mercedes appeal is 7pm GMT on Thursday.