Hamilton claims Abu Dhabi GP "manipulated"

Lewis Hamilton claimed the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was "manipulated" in a radio message broadcast only on F1TV.

Hamilton missed out on securing a record-breaking eighth F1 world title in a controversial fashion after dominating on Sunday.

Although complimentary of his rival and graceful in defeat when facing questions from his former McLaren team-mate Jenson Button, Hamilton had taken a different stance over team radio.

Viewers of Hamilton's onboard camera through F1TV after the race heard the Mercedes driver claim: "This is getting manipulated, man."

Hamilton failed to attend both the media pen and the top three press conference after the podium ceremony was completed with Mercedes keeping its council as the team lodged a pair of protests.

One regarded a possible overtake from Verstappen under safety car conditions while the other related to the broader procedural issues of ending a safety car period that the team believed had not been followed.

Both were thrown out by the stewards and although Mercedes quickly registered its intention to appeal, the team is yet to lodge its grounds for an appeal.

From the moment of announcing the intention, Mercedes had 96 hours to confirm if it would progress with the matter or not.

Passing Sky Sports F1 as he left the paddock, team principal Toto Wolff maintained his silence, declining to provide a comment.

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