Red Bull aim dig at Mercedes over inclusion of lawyer in title protest

Red Bull has launched a dig at Mercedes over the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix protest and the inclusion of a lawyer in the hearing after Max Verstappen controversially wrapped up his first title.

Mercedes lodged protests citing alleged breaches of Articles 48.8 and 48.12 of the sporting regulations, regarding safety car protocol after a breathless end to the season-ending race.

Hamilton was in control of his own destiny when Nicholas Latifi crashed out at turn 14, triggering a safety car.

The race was neutralised with lapped drivers instructed to remain behind the safety car only for that decision to be reversed half a lap from the beginning of the final tour.

Verstappen made his way past on the final lap to clinch the title in extraordinary circumstances.

Red Bull had responded to the protest by expressing their "disappointment" in the decision from their rivals, but reacting to the inclusion of a lawyer in the proceedings, a spokesperson for the team said: “We are a Formula 1 race team, we did not come here with a QC to protest.”

It is understood there is precedent for a safety car coming in on the same lap as lapped cars unlap themselves and not the following lap as currently prescribed by the regulations.

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