Since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday evening, Red Bull claims they have not heard from Mercedes or the FIA.
After announcing they had not heard from the FIA or Mercedes since the latter’s protests were dismissed on Sunday, Red Bull expects Max Verstappen to be officially confirmed as the 2021 Formula 1 World Champion on Thursday.
Following the race, Mercedes filed two protests, claiming that it was not run fairly due to the complicated circumstances surrounding the late Safety Car.
F1 Race Director Michael Masi made the controversial decision to only allow the five cars in front of race leader Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves, putting the title contenders nose to tail for the last lap of the race.
Verstappen used his fresh Soft tyres to beat Hamilton at Turn 5 on the final lap, winning the race and the Drivers’ Championship.
“I think the official period is until seven o’clock tomorrow [Thursday] that the right of appeal exists,” Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner told media, including RacingNews365.com.
“But Max Verstappen is the World Champion. We welcomed him home to Red Bull today, he’s seen all of the team and I think it’s time to move on.
“Hopefully, he will receive the trophy tomorrow evening and be crowned as the World Champion. I have no indication of otherwise.
“I haven’t spoken to Mercedes or heard from Mercedes or the FIA to hear anything different at this point in time.”
“It’s not a dispute between Red Bull and Mercedes”
Mercedes has until Thursday evening, conveniently around the time the FIA Prize-Giving Gala begins, to file a formal appeal. When RacingNews365.com inquired about the situation, they declined to comment.
Red Bull, according to Horner, is merely relishing their victory with Verstappen, the team’s first title since 2013, and is not now involved in any argument between Mercedes and the FIA.
“The focus is on celebrating the success that the team has achieved, that Max has achieved this year,” said Horner.
“This is a dispute between the FIA and Mercedes. Of course, Red Bull is an interested party, so it would be represented accordingly [if an appeal were to be lodged].
“But this isn’t a dispute between Red Bull and Mercedes. Max won the race, he became the World Champion and we’re incredibly proud of him. That’s where our focus is.”
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