Hamilton cries foul over Grand Prix loss

Lewis Hamilton said over his team radio at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that the race had been “manipulated”, it has emerged. The Mercedes driver was magnanimous in his interviews after the race, which ended in controversial style after a late-race safety car period. But on the final lap, after rival Max […]

Lewis Hamilton said over his team radio at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that the race had been “manipulated”, it has emerged.

The Mercedes driver was magnanimous in his interviews after the race, which ended in controversial style after a late-race safety car period.

But on the final lap, after rival Max Verstappen had passed him, Hamilton said: “This has been manipulated, man.”

They are considering whether to appeal against the decision to back race director Michael Masi’s handling of the restarted race, which appeared to be in contravention of the governing body’s own rules and standard protocols.