Lewis Hamilton’s team decides not to ask the International Court of Appeal to overturn the result of the Formula One season finale that resulted in Max Verstappen winning his first championship.
Mercedes had filed a pair of protests following Sunday’s race, in which a late crash at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix helped Max Verstappen beat Hamilton for the title. Both protests were dismissed and Mercedes then asked for reconsideration at the International Court of Appeal, a process that could have dragged into next year. Mercedes was protesting the use of the safety car following a crash with five laps remaining. Hamilton had a nearly 12-second lead over Verstappen when the crash brought out the yellow flag. Verstappen pitted for fresh tires while Hamilton stayed on track. The race director initially said lapped drivers could not pass the safety car, then reversed the call in a decision that allowed Verstappen to restart directly behind Hamilton with a lap remaining. Verstappen then passed Hamilton to win his first world championship. Starting Jan.4, anyone 5 or older must show proof of vaccination or a negative test taken within 72 hours to attend any event with more than 250 people.
