SPORT – Following the controversy surrounding Sunday´s F1 final race at Abu Dhabi, Mercedes have decided not to appeal the decision. Consequently, they issued a statement congratulating Max Verstappen on his title win and extended this to the Red Bull team.
Normally such a statement would have been made immediately after the winner was announced. However, Mercedes left Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi without doing this.
Protests rejected
On Sunday, Mercedes made two protests on events leading up to the outcome. After nearly 4 hours, these protests were both rejected. At that point, there was talk of Mercedes lodging an official appeal.
However, after 4 days of silence, tonight, the FIA gala takes place in Paris. As runner-up, Hamilton and the Mercedes team are obliged to attend. As such, Mercedes accepted their defeat and ended their silence by posting on social media.
Mercedes F1 comments on Twitter
Here is their team statement regarding the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as officially Tweeted.
“Dear Formula 1 community and fans,
We left Abu Dhabi in disbelief at what we had just witnessed. Of course, it is part of the game to lose a race. But it is something different when you lose faith in racing.
Together with Lewis, we have deliberated carefully over how to respond to events at the Formula 1 season finale. We have always been guided by our love of this sport and we believe every competition should be won on merit. In the race on Sunday, many felt, us included, that the way things unfolded was not right.
The reason we protested the race result on Sunday was 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.”
New commission to be installed
“We appealed in the interest of sporting fairness, and we have since been in a constructive dialogue with the FIA and Formula 1 to create clarity for the future, so that all competitors know the rules under which they are racing and how they will be enforced. Thus, we welcome the decision by the FIA to install a commission to thoroughly analyse what happened in Abu Dhabi and to improve the robustness of the rules, governance, and decision-making in Formula 1. We also welcome that they have invited the teams and drivers to take part.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team will actively work with this commission to build a better Formula 1 – for every team and every fan who loves the sport as much as we do. We hold the FIA accountable for this process and we hereby withdraw our appeal.”
We appealed in the interest of sporting fairness, and we have since been in a constructive dialogue with the FIA and Formula 1 to create clarity for the future, so that all competitors know the rules under which they are racing, and how they will be enforced. pic.twitter.com/SCdNuFPwIb
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 16, 2021
After the notification of the withdrawal of their appeal, then they also tweeted their congratulations and respect for the winners and for their own team members.
Congratulations
”To Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing: We would like to express our sincere respect for your achievements this season. You made this Formula 1 Championship title fight truly epic. Max, we congratulate you and your entire team. We look forward to taking the fight to you on the track next season.
And lastly, although this Drivers’ Championship did not end the way we hoped, we could not be prouder of our team.
Lewis, you are the greatest race in the history of Formula 1, and you drove your heart out for every lap of this incredible season. You are a flawless sportsman on and off the track and you delivered a flawless performance. As a pure competitor and role model for millions around the world, we salute you.
Lewis, you are the greatest racer in the history of Formula 1 and you drove your heart out for every lap of this incredible season.
You're a flawless sportsman on and off the track and you delivered a faultless performance. pic.twitter.com/fCCmO0qwkj
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 16, 2021
Valtteri, you have been such an important part of this team, delivering five Constructors’ Championships in five seasons. Thank you for your remarkable contribution to our motorsport history. Thanks, Valtteri.
Thank you for your remarkable contribution to our motorsport history. Kiitos, Valtteri. pic.twitter.com/nCB96PdIUA
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 16, 2021
Finally, to every one of the skilled and passionate women and men of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in Brackley and High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth: You have written an historic chapter in the Silver Arrow story by winning the eighth Constructors’ Championship – in a row. This is an unprecedented achievement. In simple words: it’s awesome. You are awesome. “
