Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been confirmed as Formula One world champion after the Mercedes team of rival Lewis Hamilton failed in two protests to the governing FIA after their driver was beaten in the last lap of the the season-ending Abu Dhabi race.
Mercedes contested that only the cars between then leading Hamilton and Verstappen were allowed to unlap themselves during a late safety car stage while others weren’t.
The other protest was against Verstappen for overtaking under the safety car.
But both were dismissed by race stewards and the 24-year-old Dutchman Verstappen could restart celebrations for his maiden title.