The safety car controversy at this year's closing station is still unresolved, mercedes has officially appealed to the FIA, but Hamilton does not seem to be willing to continue to dwell, and some media reports have reported that he has previously asked Mercedes to withdraw his protests, and he is not particularly enthusiastic about appeals.
On lap 53 of the final stage, Latifi crashed the car to trigger the safety car, the safety car led to lap 57, if the race ended under the guidance of the safety car, Hamilton will win the championship, but the race officer announced the slow car in the penultimate lap while letting the safety car go back, Verstappen completed the overtaking on the last lap with the advantage of the tire, taking the championship trophy from Hamilton.
Mercedes was naturally very unhappy with such a result, and they protested twice after the race, once when Verstappen overtook under the guidance of the safety car, and once when the safety car was withdrawn, but both were rejected by the FIA, and then Mercedes formally appealed, and the two sides may go to court.
But Hamilton was not enthusiastic about it, and after the race, although he was very depressed, he was still very personable to congratulate Verstappen, and when Mercedes protested, he even took the initiative to ask the team to withdraw the protest.
Mercedes' appeal was confirmed before Thursday, and they can still withdraw it, while Hamilton is clearly not enthusiastic about the appeal, saying that what he wants most at the moment is a peaceful Christmas holiday.
As for the timing of the safe car's withdrawal, CIA director Michael Massy admitted that he had always wanted not to end the race under the guidance of the safety car, especially in such an important race, and Marcy also said that this situation had long been recognized by all teams: "All teams have long agreed that, where possible, the race should be ended in 'green' conditions (i.e. not under the safety car). ”
There are also reports that Mercedes coach Wolff also sent a text message a few days ago to congratulate Verstappen on winning the world championship. The war of words between the two teams this season has almost been through, but after the dust has settled, Mercedes has shown enough grace for both the senior management and the drivers. (Text/Li Tianyou)