Mercedes is on the cusp of accepting defeat in the 2021 world championship by dropping its intention to appeal the outcome of the Abu Dhabi finale. “I don’t think it’s official until it’s official,” he said. It comes as the FIA determined at its Paris meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday that the controversy surrounding Sunday’s race is “tarnishing the image of the championship” as well as Max Verstappen’s celebrations. “It was very painful for Lewis – and I would also be hurt in the way he lost it,” Verstappen added. Lewis Hamilton is reportedly so unhappy that he may risk a hefty fine by snubbing the official FIA prize-giving gala on Thursday.

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