Red Bull boss Christian Horner has vowed to defend Max Verstappen's dramatic Formula One world championship victory all the way to the highest court.
Horner insisted they were prepared to contest Mercedes’ appeal through the sport’s various levels of appeal and then into the law courts if required.
And the signs are that Mercedes’ anger is so intense at the manner of Sunday’s defeat that is exactly where this is headed.
Red Bull’s 24-year-old racing superstar became the first Dutch F1 world champion with a thrilling last-lap move on rival Lewis Hamilton.
But he only did it after a controversial decision by race director Michael Masi and the stewards to move five cars between leader Hamilton and Verstappen out of the way as they circled under a safety car caused by a Nicholas Latifi crash.
The idea appeared to be to allow the two title contenders to finally resolve their nine-month, 21-race, four-continent, rivalry in sporting fashion on the track rather than see it run down lamely behind the safety car.
And what a finale it was: a dramatic one lap shoot out worthy of Hollywood.
But for every delighted fan left breathless by the spectacle there will be one that will be unhappy over a gerrymandered finish.
With Verstappen having been able to pit for fresh tyres it was hardly an equal fight.
But then earlier in the race when the two rivals clashed a decision had been made that did not appear fair for Verstappen when Hamilton cut a chicane and kept his lead
“We think (Masi) followed the right rules and procedures that are available to him,” said Horner, his voice hoarse from shouting through the rollercoaster of emotions he has just lived.
“It’s tough for (the stewards) in difficult circumstances. We’ve always discussed with them ‘let them race’ about letting the races go and he’s done that today."
But after lodging notification of their intention to appeal with the International Court of Appeal, this battle is clearly far from over even though few would argue Verstappen is a great driver, worthy champion and Red Bull not at fault.
Mercedes are fuming that Masi didn’t let the race finish under the safety car and believe stewards broke the rules by choosing to restart the race.
Team boss Toto Wolff was so angry he locked himself in the team motorhome after the race and refused to take callers, including Horner, who called to commiserate.
He was reputedly in talks with QC Paul Harris, a sports law expert, allegedly at the circuit only as a guest. Only last month Harris was voted Britain’s Barrister of the Year.
“If they appeal, they appeal,” said Horner. “We’ll fight it in the appeal courts and in the legal court after that if they are to go that route.”
Asked if it was time Red Bull had a permanent barrister on the pay role at every race, Horner responded: “Maybe I need one on the pit wall with me. It’s a shame. We are a race team, we are a team of racers, we don’t take barristers racing with us. We focus on what’s going on the track.
“We push and race hard. The team have been phenomenal we’ve had fastest pit stops, We’ve had bold strategies and we’ve had Max Verstappen who has been phenomenal this year.”
Before it reaches the law courts, probably in France or UK, the case would have to go through two levels of sporting appeal.
The first is at F1’s own International Court of Appeal and after that there is an independent court within F1’s own structure.
But Mercedes have only lodged the notice of appeal to protect their rights and keep their options open so they have time to investigate their options fully.
They have 96 hours from the end of the race to make the official decision.
One fly in the ointment, though, is the sport's own World Champion’s Prize Giving Ceremony which is due to take place on Thursday.
There will also be much discussion on how determined Mercedes are to pursue a case which will drag the sport’s own reputation further through the mire.
The incident and the stewards handling of it has split opinion across the globe
Some believe the sport has been irreparably damaged and Hamilton cruelly robbed of a historic championship he thoroughly deserved.
Others were pleased to see the endless Mercedes domination come to an end. This is the first of the last 14 team and driver trophies they have failed to win in seven years.
Hamilton was courteous in defeat, delivering a congratulatory message to his rival on the podium after the race.
Both Horner and Verstappen were equally complimentary in return to restore some sense of decorum to a wounding, if dramatic, day.
“Of course it’s tough for him,” said Horner. “I spoke to him and his dad. It’s been a tough competition, he’s been very gracious, as was his father. And he’ll come back fighting hard next year.”
Pushed on whether the sport’s beleaguered stewards had made the right decision after much criticism had circulated throughout the season, Horner said: “There’s always lessons you can learn as a team and in life generally.
“The decision at the beginning of the race went against us and we felt the one at the end was right and it was a season like that. There’s been marginal calls, some we’ve benefited from and a majority we have lost out from.
“Max was due a bit of luck and Latifi gave us the opportunity. After Silverstone, Budapest, Azerbaijan he felt the luck wasn’t with him and for the first time, today, he had some and it came at the right time but he had to make it happen.
“We needed a miracle from the racing gods and they answered. So thank you to them.”
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Dubai Women's Tour teams
Agolico BMC
Andy Schleck Cycles-Immo Losch
Aromitalia Basso Bikes Vaiano
Cogeas Mettler Look
Doltcini-Van Eyck Sport
Hitec Products – Birk Sport
Kazakhstan National Team
Kuwait Cycling Team
Macogep Tornatech Girondins de Bordeaux
Minsk Cycling Club
Pannonia Regional Team (Fehérvár)
Team Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Team Ciclotel
UAE Women’s Team
Under 23 Kazakhstan Team
Wheel Divas Cycling Team
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Keita 5', Firmino 26'
Porto 0
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
Revival
Eminem
Interscope
World Test Championship table
1 India 71 per cent
2 New Zealand 70 per cent
3 Australia 69.2 per cent
4 England 64.1 per cent
5 Pakistan 43.3 per cent
6 West Indies 33.3 per cent
7 South Africa 30 per cent
8 Sri Lanka 16.7 per cent
9 Bangladesh 0
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%2060kW%20lithium-ion%20phosphate%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20Up%20to%20201bhp%3Cbr%3E0%20to%20100kph%3A%207.3%20seconds%3Cbr%3ERange%3A%20418km%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh149%2C900%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
FIXTURES
All games 6pm UAE on Sunday:
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa
RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE
Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
