F1: Mercedes gains the right to appeal over decision not to punish Max Verstappen

The Formula 1 stewards will review their decision not to punish Max Verstappen at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, the motorsport umbrella organization has confirmed.

Lewis Hamilton won the race at Interlagos after a great comeback, but championship leader Verstappen escaped penalty for driving his rival off the road as they battled for first place.

The stewards noticed the incident before viewing the footage and decided not to open a formal investigation, but Hamilton’s Mercedes team has been given a right of investigation.

In a statement by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) it says: “In accordance with Art. 14 of the International Sports Code (ISC) and after the application for review by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, submitted on the 16th by video conference (invitation with separate cover sheet) at 5:00 p.m. local (Qatar) on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

“According to Art. 14 ISC, the purpose of this hearing is to determine whether there is a right to review in this case, ie whether“ a significant and relevant new element is discovered which the parties requesting the review are not available to at the time of the decision in question was standing”.

“The names and positions of all participants that the participant wishes to request to attend must be communicated in writing to the stewards secretary no later than November 18, 2021 at 12:00 local time (Qatar).”

FIA Race Director Michael Masi announced following the stewards’ initial decision that the forward onboard video of Verstappen’s car was not available when the stewards acted.

The stewards have now examined the significance of the new footage and have decided that an appeal must be made.

A retroactive five-second time penalty for Verstappen would result in him dropping back to third place behind Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas on Sunday – and reducing his championship lead over Hamilton from 14 to 11 points.