Social media is rampant with conversation around two key decisions made by Michael Masi and his team of stewards during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
No matter what driver you were shouting for on the day, there was widespread confusion among the celebrations last night.
On the opening lap, Hamilton and Verstappen went wheel-to-wheel and the Mercedes ended up going off track and gaining a hefty advantage on return.
According to footage, the pair did touch once again as Verstappen sent it down the inside of the Mercedes, but stewards opted for no investigation.
They suggested that the Mercedes was requested to give back the advantage, but Red Bull insisted they did not see that in the data.
Speaking moments after the stewards rejected an investigation, Christian Horner said: “We are a little bit shocked at that because apparently, Lewis gave his advantage back, which we have failed to see yet…
“It’s a total lack of consistency.
“We are focused on the race and still a long way to go.”
Nico Rosberg then added: “I think with the stewards, it’s ok what they have done,” says the 2016 world champion.
“Max was a little bit too lungey, too aggressive, forcing Lewis out too strongly even though he had the right to the corner there as he was massively ahead.
“I would also say that Lewis didn’t give back everything he gained.
“It’s tough, but I think it’s ok like this.”
Meanwhile, from the point of view of Jenson Button, he explained: “I think it was a very late lunge, but it was always going to happen,.
“Lewis knew he was coming. He pushed Lewis off the track I guess but he stayed on the track. I’m struggling to understand the regulations right now.”
Damon Hill finally said: “You have to say that Lewis had to basically move out the way because otherwise he was going to collide with Max, who made a very uncompromising a late lunge, left no room for Lewis to make any accommodation and had to leave the track.
“But I have to say I’m surprised they didn’t say give the place back.”
There has been much debate over race steward conclusions throughout the season when it came to scuffles between the two title fighters.
After the Williams of Nicholas Latifi crashed out in the final laps, a safety car and late decision by the stewards brought Verstappen right into the rearview mirror of Lewis Hamilton.
On a fresh set of soft tyres, Hamilton didn’t have a chance against the charging bull, and after a swift overtake Verstappen sailed to the finish line to clinch the ultimate win after an incredible season.
Mercedes jumped to protest stewards allowing 5 lapped cars to overtake the safety car on the final lap, referencing a number of racing rules they believed to be broken.
Stewards later rejected these protests from Mercedes following the final lap trauma, which meant that Max Verstappen was confirmed as the 2021 world champion after battling it out with his closest rival, Lewis Hamilton.
Despite the relief on Sunday evening for the Red Bull camp, they are not truly in the clear at this point, as Mercedes have confirmed their intention to lodge an appeal on the verdicts.
Mercedes had put forth two official protests with stewards after the intense title fight that ended with Verstappen passing Hamilton on the final lap.
The first protest was for the restart procedure from F1 race director Michael Masi and the second alleged that Verstappen overtook Hamilton under the Safety Car.
The stewards deliberated for over three hours before dismissing both protests.
