Mercedes set to appeal over race director Masi’s safety car call

Abu Dhabi - The appeal must be lodged within 96 hours from the moment they indicated their intention to appeal

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team are expected to appeal after two protests they made against Max Verstappen’s title-winning victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were rejected by stewards.

The man in their sights is race director Michael Masi and his controversial decision to withdraw the safety car for the final lap.

The appeal must be lodged within 96 hours from the moment they indicated their intention to appeal, which in this case would be 2000GMT (12 am UAE time) Thursday.

According to the BBC, Mercedes said on Monday they were deliberating over what to do.

The appeal is likely to relate to the way in which the safety car rules were applied by Masi at the end of the race following a crash by Williams’ driver Nicholas Latifi.

The involvement of the safety car set up a final lap in which Verstappen overtook long-time race leader Hamilton to win the race and the title, dashing the Briton’s hopes of a record eighth world crown.

Mercedes argued that Masi did not apply the rules correctly by resuming the race for the last lap.

Stewards on Sunday countered by saying “although Article 48.12 may not have been applied fully” the following article “overrides” it and “once the message ‘safety car in this lap’ has been displayed, it is mandatory to withdraw the safety car at the end of that lap.”

Masi made his opinion clear to a seething Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

“That is what we call a race,” said the 42-year-old Australian, who took on the role when Charlie Whiting died at the beginning of the 2019 season.

Although Hamilton was graceful in defeat once he emerged from the car his team radio message which surfaced on Monday on the BBC makes it clear what he thought after being passed.

“This has been manipulated, man.” Hamilton — who had won the previous three races to draw level on points with his Dutch rival — spoke to TV post race but did not turn up to the main press conference which is considered protocol for the top three finishers.

Opinion varied amongst present and former Formula One stars with some sympathising with Mercedes and others with Masi.

“It was obviously made to be a fight. It was for the TV of course. It was for the result,” McLaren driver Lando Norris told the BBC.

“Whether or not it was fair, it was not up to me to decide.”

Four-time champion Alain Prost said he understood Mercedes’ gripe. “The protest over the managing of the safety car is an extra controversy which one does not need because the mistake was committed by the authorities,” the Frenchman told Canal Plus.

“His decision provided us with a magnificent racing moment and an unbelievable climax. “Michael’s job was incredibly tough and he will need support through the winter, it is imperative the rules are improved and that next year we are in a better position.” — AFP