Mercedes urged to "just leave it" and ditch Abu Dhabi appeal

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has urged Mercedes to "leave it there" with its appeal against the result of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as "it's done".

Mercedes was riled by the decision of FIA race director Michael Masi to first clear only the lapped drivers between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen towards the end of a late safety car period and second, to resume racing for a one-lap shootout to decide the championship.

The Silver Arrows made two separate protests after the chequered flag fell but both were dismissed with the team subsequently announcing its intent to appeal those decisions.

At the time of publication, Mercedes has not yet confirmed it will follow through with its intent and launch a formal appeal.

Speaking to TalkSport, Jordan claimed there is "no point" in Mercedes pursuing the cause.

“If I was the chairman of that company I’d say ‘we were in one of the greatest fights in motor racing for decades. Let’s be magnanimous’,” said the former Jordan team owner.

“Lewis has been so sporting, so correct, so well brought up, we can all be justifiably proud of the way he acted and congratulated Max. It must’ve been so cruel for him.

“But just leave it there, it’s done. No point settling it in a courtroom and I don’t think Mercedes will win because the option was up to the race director.

“He [Masi] can change his mind if he wishes. He did it badly in my opinion but those are the rules.”

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