Stewards decline Mercedes right to review Verstappen/Hamilton battle in Brazil
The Formula 1 stewards have rejected Mercedes' right to review the battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in Brazil.
A frame from the onboard footage presented by Mercedes. (Formula 1)
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team had presented the front-facing onboard footage from Verstappen's car, which was not available during the race.
The stewards may accept a review if evidence is presented that was unavailable at the time of the decision, it is new evidence, it is relevant, and it is significant.
It was accepted that the new footage was both new and relevant, but did not clear the bar of significance.
"…there is nothing in the Footage that fundamentally changes the facts," read the stewards' decision.
"Nor even, does this show anything that wasn’t considered by the Stewards at the time."
"Thus, the Stewards determine that the Footage, here, is not "Significant.""
The verdict was handed down while the team bosses for both teams were in a pre-race press conference.
"Completely expected," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
"I think we wanted to trigger a discussion around it, because probably it will be a theme in the next few races."
"I think our objective is achieved."
"We didn't really think it would go any further."
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said "I think it's obviously the right decision."
"It would have opened Pandora's Box regarding a whole bunch of other incidents that happened in that race."
"I think the most important thing now is to focus on this Grand Prix."
