Lewis Hamilton gives new hope as second lawyer examines Max Verstappen controversy | F1 | sports

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Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of reversing Max Verstappen’s F1 world title have received fresh support after another lawyer claimed Mercedes may have legal reasons to alter Sunday’s race results in Abu Dhabi. FIA racing director Michael Masi has sparked outrage from the Mercedes camp over a controversial decision on the moribund racing embers.

Hamilton looked on track for his eighth drivers’ title on Sunday, with Red Bull and Verstappen unable to respond to Mercedes’ speed.

But the Dutchman had a stroke of luck when the Nicholas Latifi accident knocked out the safety car in the final stages.

The safety car rolled back with one lap remaining, and suddenly Verstappen experienced another miracle when it ordered the wrap car between him and Hamilton off the road to enable a straight shootout.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff was furious when Hamilton’s healthy lead was suddenly wiped out, and the 24-year-old, who was wearing brand-new soft tyres, passed Hamilton to win the title in a sensational fashion.

The Silver Arrows made two protests after the race, but they were promptly rejected by the FIA.

Mercedes’ protest read: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team’s protest against car 33, an alleged violation of Article 48.8 of the FIA ​​Formula 1 Regulations 2021.

“The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team protest against the classification established at the end of the competition, an alleged violation of Article 48.12 of the 2021 FIA Formula One Sports Regulations.”

Amid Mercedes vowing to file a formal appeal and take more matters into consideration, legal partner Duncan Bagshaw claimed that Wolff & Co. had a case.

And the Hamilton camp got another boost, with sports law specialist Nicholas Bamber backing Iman Bagshaw in an interview with racfans.com.

“In response to Mercedes’ protest, hmm [the FIA] It concluded that Article 15.3 gives the race director carte blanche to control the use of the safety car and to override the safety car procedures set forth in Article 48.12.”

On the face of it, this interpretation appears to be inconsistent with the clear linguistic view of the Regulations.

It also contrasts directly with Michael Massey’s approach in similar circumstances at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix where he said “there is a requirement in the sporting regulations to wave all the wrap cars” before the safety car returns to the pit lane and the race resumes, “so the safety car period was a little bit longer than We usually wanted him.”

That is, the race director cannot overrule the appropriate application of the Regulations, including the full application of Article 48.12.

“Article 1.1.1 of the FIA ​​2021 International Sports Act makes clear that the regulations must be implemented “based on the fundamental principles of sporting safety and justice” [emphasis added]. Part of sports justice revolves around the consistency of application of the rules of sports. As such, there appears to be a good legal basis upon which Mercedes could seek an appeal.”

Bamber added that the FIA ​​could struggle to defend itself if the matter were taken to the International Court of Appeal.

Hamilton fans, angry at the nature of Verstappen’s victory, took it upon themselves to start a petition in an attempt to see the result reversed.

While things seem to add up in Mercedes’ favour, Sky Sports’ David Croft has backed Hamilton’s side to step back so as not to damage the sport’s reputation.

Furthermore, accepting the outcome would avoid the potential perception that they are “bad losers”, as well as remove the luster from their eighth consecutive crown.

Verstappen confirmed that Wolff has already sent him a congratulatory message, although Mercedes’ decision to appeal or withdraw is still officially up in the air.

The Silver Arrows have now entered a 96-hour window to keep things going before the Dutchman’s first title can be stamped with a rubber stamp for the history books.

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