Mercedes’ protest against Max Verstappen was denied, with the result of the second protest still to be confirmed.

The first of Mercedes’ two protests, against Max Verstappen, was dismissed by the race stewards in Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes filed two protests with the stewards in the hour following the chequered flag. One was directed towards Verstappen, while the other was directed against the race classification system as a whole.

The case against Verstappen was filed on the basis of a violation of Article 48.8 of the FIA Sporting Regulations, which involved overtaking another driver before the Safety Car was removed.

Mercedes filed the appeal after the Safety Car was removed and Verstappen’s front wing was temporarily ahead of Hamilton’s as the pair prepared to launch into the last race lap.

Both Red Bull and Mercedes had representatives at the hearing, with Mercedes also having legal representation.

Mercedes claimed that Verstappen had broken the rules by passing Hamilton, but Red Bull countered that “Hamilton was not’overtaken’ by Verstappen, that both cars were’on and off the throttle,’ and that there were’a million precedents’ under the Safety Car where cars had pulled alongside then moved back behind the car in front.”

First protest dismissed, one to go

The stewards ruled that the protest was valid, but that it should be dismissed for the following reason.

“The stewards determine that although Car 33 [Verstappen] did at one stage, for a very short period of time, move slightly in front of Car 44 [Hamilton], at a time when both cars were accelerating and braking, it moved back behind Car 44 and it was not in front when the Safety Car period ended (i.e. at the line),” read their explanation.

“Accordingly, the protest is dismissed and the protest deposit is not refunded.”

Mercedes has the option to appeal this decision

Several masks inspired by FORMULA 1 racing drivers are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price: