The seven-time world champion, like Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, stayed away from the event on Thursday evening in Paris. “Should there be a rule break, we will not forgive this,” said the new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem. When honoring the new world champion Max Verstappen from the Netherlands, Technical Director James Allison had at least picked up the trophy for the constructors’ championship for Mercedes, while Hamilton’s Finnish team-mate Valtteri Bottas was celebrated for third place. According to the rules, the top three of the drivers’ championship must be present at the gala, the penalty is not defined. “Rules are rules,” said ben Sulayem.
In a controversial last Grand Prix of the year in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen only caught Mercedes driver Hamilton in the championship fight on the last lap. The Englishman missed out on becoming the sole record world champion ahead of Michael Schumacher with an eighth title. Subsequently, the Silver Arrows challenged the ranking, but ultimately decided not to appeal.
Source: Nachrichten
