Mercedes have discovered a way to snatch the championship away from Red Bull, with the fallout of the season robbing them of a double.
The German team won the Constructors’ Championship for the eighth time in a row. However, they will feel robbed by the FIA in the Drivers’ Championship, where one horrible moment from the stewards yanked the title away from them.
It was absolutely cruel how Lewis Hamilton lost the world championship, but his team will fight for him until they no longer can. For that, Mercedes have discovered a way to snatch the championship away, and they will be looking to exercise it to the best of their abilities.
That weapon is Article 48.12, which details rules they felt were not applied. The article reads as follows.
“If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message “LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE” has been sent to all Competitors via the official messaging system, any cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car.
“This will only apply to cars that were lapped at the time they crossed the Line at the end of the lap during which they crossed the first Safety Car line for the second time after the safety car was deployed.
Lawyered
“Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the safety car these cars should then proceed around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking, and make every effort to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car.
“Whilst they are overtaking, and in order to ensure this may be carried out safely, the cars on the lead lap must always stay on the racing line unless deviating from it is unavoidable.
“Unless the clerk of the course considers the presence of the safety car is still necessary, once the last lapped car has passed the leader the safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap.
“If the clerk of the course considers track conditions are unsuitable for overtaking the message “OVERTAKING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED” will be sent to all Competitors via the official messaging system.”