Hamilton told team on radio race was ‘manipulated’

Dec 14, 2021 3:00 PM PHT

Reuters

SUMMARY

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Hamilton told team on radio race was ‘manipulated’

'MANIPULATED'. Race director Michael Masi alters the safety car procedure to allow five cars between the title rivals to get out of the way.

Hamad I Mohammed/REUTERS

Lewis Hamilton delivers the message after Max Verstappen passed him on the final lap

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton said on his team radio, “This has been manipulated,” after the Briton was passed by Max Verstappen on the final lap of Sunday’s controversial season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The message was not broadcast on the world TV feed but was audible on seven-times champion Hamilton’s onboard channel on F1TV, multiple media outlets reported.

Reuters has requested comment from Mercedes and the governing FIA.

Red Bull’s Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the last lap to win the Abu Dhabi GP and claim his first championship after race director Michael Masi altered the safety car procedure to allow five cars between the title rivals to get out of the way.

The decision gave Verstappen a clear run on Hamilton in what amounted to a last-lap sprint finish, with the Dutch driver on fresher tyres.

Hamilton was gracious , congratulating Verstappen and Red Bull for their victory. – Rappler.com