Hamilton to breach protocol by missing FIA prize-giving

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that neither he nor Lewis Hamilton will attend the FIA prize-giving ceremony in Paris on Thursday evening.

After Mercedes elected not to pursue its appeal against the outcome of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Thursday morning, Wolff confirmed both he and seven-time champion Hamilton will miss the evening's FIA gala.

Instead, the team will be represented by James Allison with the chief technical officer to collect the constructors' trophy.

Hamilton's absence is a breach of article 6.6 in the F1 sporting regulations, with the top three in the drivers' required to attend.

Making clear the feeling of disappointment and frustration remained very raw within the team, Wolff stated: "No, both of us won't be there and I won't be there because of my loyalty to Lewis and because of my own personal integrity.

"But we will be represented as a team by James Allison who will be taking the trophy on behalf of all the people in Brackley and Brixworth who should celebrate our eighth consecutive world championship title, who deserve to celebrate it because it is a fantastic achievement that we are all very proud of.

"In a way, I am trying to compartmentalise the anger over the drivers' championship, and on the other side the pride and the joy of having achieved something unprecedented, and that needs to be celebrated."

Given the events of the past few days and the high levels of emotion involved, it is unclear if the FIA would seek to impose sanctions over the snub.

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