Lewis Hamilton could still be named F1 world champion for last season
Dominic Smithers
Featured Image Credit: Independent Photo Agency/PA Images/Alamy
Sir Lewis Hamilton could still be crowned F1 world champion for last season.
The Brit narrowly missed out on the title after he was pipped to the post in the final race of the season by bitter rival Max Verstappen last year.
If you're not clued up on what happened, it was the mother of all dramas.
Hamilton and Verstappen went head-to-head in Abu Dhabi, with the whole season coming down to the final lap of the race.
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Following a crash, the safety car was deployed, meaning that Hamilton, who was leading the race, was unable to pit and so had to complete the final four laps on his old tyres.
Verstappen, on the other hand, was able to make a stop, with his team putting on some fresh tyres to give him the best chance of making some ground.
But that's not all. The initial orders were that lapped cars would not be allowed to overtake the safety car - giving Hamilton a five-car cushion on his rival.
However, after Red Bull boss Christian Horner asked the race director why this was the case, the decision was reversed, and five cars were allowed past, bringing Verstappen right up behind Hamilton.
And, as they say, the rest is history; Verstappen managed to pass Hamilton and win the race, claiming the title by eight points.
But now questions have been raised over how much money Red Bull spent during the season, with claims being made that they exceeded the £114million limit.
Horner has denied any wrongdoing, though, telling Sky Sports: "The accounts were all submitted to the FIA way back in March and we are in that process as we speak."
"They are rightly following that process and mid-next week is when they declare their certificates.
"Our submission was below the cap and it is for the FIA to follow their process which they are currently doing."
However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has urged the FIA to act, and if the allegations are found to be true, it could see Red Bull docked points.
Speaking ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix tomorrow (2 October), Wolff said: "The cost cap is probably the most important evolution of regulations to keep a level playing field."
"It is of huge importance that these regulations are policed. The FIA, and particularly Mohammed [ben Sulayem, their president], have shown a pretty robust stance on enforcing all kinds of regulations.
"So if we are talking now about something big, he will show the same integrity and leadership that he has before."
The FIA is set to give its ruling on the investigation on Wednesday (5 October).
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