The Mercedes team have withdrawn their appeal against Max Verstappen’s Formula One title win following “constructive dialogue” with governing body FIA.
On Sunday (December 12) Max Verstappen won the F1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi following a controversial final-lap finish where Verstappen overtook Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and five lapped cars that separated the two rivals were able to unlap themselves – arguably giving Verstappen an advantage.
Mercedes appealed Verstappen’s win, alleging that Article 48.12 of the FIA Sporting Regulations – which states “any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car” – was broken.
However, after talks with the FIA, Mercedes announced the withdrawal of their appeal in a statement on social media today (December 16).
“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 this sport as much as we do,” they wrote.
“We will hold the FIA accountable for this process and we hereby withdraw our appeal.”
The statement adds: “We appealed in the interest of sporting fairness, and we have since been in a constructive dialogue with the FIA and Formula One 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 One.
“We also welcome that they have invited the teams and drivers to take part.”
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