Helmut Marko criticised Mercedes for their politics, and called for them to accept defeat and go again next season.
Mercedes were handed the short end of the stick during the title-deciding race at Abu Dhabi. Late drama ensued during the Safety Car period, where the FIA intervened and initiated decisions that slashed their driver’s lead to a negligible one.
Due to those shenanigans, Mercedes failed to win the double, having only landed an eighth consecutive Constructors’ title. They appealed and protested the decision, and the saga will go on until the next season by the looks of it.
Marko criticised Mercedes for their politics, and lamented their lack of sportsmanship and grace.
“What I don’t understand: they had also the ability also to go to the pits (at Yas Marina),” he told BBC Sport.
“They didn’t. So it was their mistake. And to influence Michael Masi, the race director, not to give a Safety Car. That’s not in their competence.”
You have been lawyered
Mercedes arranged for advocates to contest their case and advise them, something that has affected the image of the sport. Although it is ugly, given what happened at Abu Dhabi, they have every right to be doing it.
Marko expressed his disappointment with Mercedes’ actions, saying that he expected only racing perspectives from them.
“We were really disappointed to see that they showed up with a barrister, one of the highest-paid barristers from England, to show up to the last race,” he said.
“We take the best paid engineers to the race to get out the maximum of the car. So the way they acted after the race is for us not really understandable.
“We understand the frustration – they believed until one lap from the end they would be accepted. If you lose, you have to accept it.”
Read more: Marko apologises for falsely accusing Hamilton – “They weren’t right, so I am sorry”