Horner hails ‘right result’ for F1 after ‘desperate’ Mercedes protest

The FIA rejected two protests by Mercedes against the result of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after the race ended in controversial circumstances following a late safety car. 

Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton during a final-lap sprint to the flag to secure his maiden F1 world title after Hamilton had looked in complete control and destined for victory before the safety car. 

Mercedes’ argument that FIA race director Michael Masi had not followed the correct safety car restart protocols was dismissed, meaning Verstappen kept the world championship as Hamilton missed out on a record-breaking eighth world title. 

“First of all it is elation, it is the right result,” Horner told media after the FIA’s decision was heard.

“You have got to look at this championship on balance over 22 races and Max has been truly outstanding this year.

“He got unlucky at times but he always kept his head down, he has driven with heart and passion, with great skill and determination and I think he is a really deserving world champion.

“The fact he has managed to take on and beat Lewis, who obviously is formidable, the most successful driver of all time, only makes it more valuable. All credit to Lewis this season he has driven again outstandingly well. 

“I’m absolutely delighted with the result, and I’m sure it will be a long evening.”

Horner described Mercedes’ pair of protests as feeling “a little bit desperate”. 

“We didn’t want it to finish in front of the stewards,” he added. 

“They have been great competitors this year and Lewis has been a phenomenal driver. It has had its moments, it has been tense, it has been tough.

“We are just delighted with the outcome and very proud of Max tonight who has been phenomenal all year.” 

Horner also took a swipe at Mercedes for bringing a lawyer to the final race of the season in case of a potentially-contentious outcome. 

“We don’t go racing with barristers and so on,” he said. “It was a shame it ended up there but the stewards made the right call.

“We have talked about ‘let them race’, Niki Lauda was the guy who pushed hard for it and we’ve always talked about not finishing racing under safety cars, the race director in difficult circumstances made absolutely the eight call and strategically we got it right.” 

Mercedes has since confirmed it has submitted an intention to appeal the stewards’ verdict, something which Horner said would ultimately not surprise him. 

“I was surprised we ended up in with the stewards over the incidents as it was, I wouldn’t be as surprised if they were to appeal,” he explained. 

“I think the race director made his position clear, the stewards made their position clear and the ruling is very clear.

“If they appeal, they appeal,” he added. “We’ll fight them in the appeal court and then in the legal court after that if they were to go that route.”