Red Bull manager Horner: The mere refusal of the Mercedes team to appeal is "desperate"!

Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner said the decision by Mercedes to appeal after the Abu Dhabi race was "desperate".

In the final stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Race, a crash by Williams driver Nicholas Latife triggered a safety car, during which the Red Bull driver switched in to soft tyres while leading Hamilton continued to use hard tyres to stay on the track.

During the safety car, there were several snared cars between the leading Hamilton and Verstappen, and F1 race director Michael Massy originally issued a notice that "the snare car is not allowed to go beyond the safety car to unwind", but Marcy changed the decision at the last minute, which meant that the "obstacle" between the two world title contenders was removed. After the safety car pit race resumed, Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap of the race and won, and the Dutchman was crowned the first world champion of his career.

After the dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Mercedes appealed to FIA FIA under Sections 48.12 and 48.8 of the FIA Sport Rules in respect of two controversial parts of the race, both of which were rejected.

After the FIA rejected Mercedes' appeal, Red Bull manager Horner welcomed the decision and made it clear they did not want to decide the world champion in the arbitration chamber.

Asked if he understood the reasons for the Mercedes team's appeal, Horner replied: "Obviously (they) feel a little desperate. But we don't want to end it before arbitration. They're great competitors, Hamilton is an extraordinary driver, but we're just happy with the results. Tonight I am proud of Verstappen, who has experienced an extraordinary year. ”

Horner also said he had no doubt that Massy had made the right decision and that the FIA was trying to restart the race rather than ending it with a safety car, once again demonstrating that the FIA wanted to follow the "Let them race" philosophy.