Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton was "unrepentant" after he defied his team by "trying to wreck the world championship hopes of Nico Rosberg at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix," according to Kevin Eason of the LONDON TIMES. Mercedes Motorsport Dir Toto Wolff accused Hamilton of "anarchy" as his driver "tore up the company rulebook and adopted a ruthless tactic" to back Rosberg up into the pursuing cars of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. The team will hold an inquiry into "why Hamilton took the lone decision to risk victory and a championship by allowing Vettel and Verstappen to get close enough to challenge." Hamilton risks punishment "as great as a suspension." The Briton won the grand prix but Rosberg "held on to second place for his maiden world championship." Despite warnings before the race, Hamilton "decided to go his own way as he set off on the first of the 55 laps." Wolff: "It is very simple: anarchy does not work in any team and in any company." Hamilton "bristled when accused of dirty tactics." He said, "We are fighting for a championship, I was in the lead, I control the pace -- that’s the rules." However, Hamilton was "slapped down by third-placed Vettel," who said, "Nico won the championship today. He's a deserving champion. This is Nico’s day and it is a sign of respect and greatness to give him that. I think we owe it to him" (LONDON TIMES, 11/28). In London, Jonathan McEvoy reported Hamilton risks having his £30M ($37.2M) Mercedes contract ripped up. Hamilton slowed down at the front, "hoping second-placed Rosberg would come under pressure from drivers behind." Asked if Hamilton could be suspended, Wolff said, "Everything is possible." Vettel said, "It was tricky at the end because Lewis played some dirty tricks." The ploy "infuriated Mercedes during the race, prompting them to issue two clear instructions to Hamilton to increase his pace." The highest Mercedes authority is Technical Dir Paddy Lowe. But when he told Hamilton "to put his foot down," Hamilton retorted that he was "comfortable" doing what he was doing. He was supported by Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, who said, "I wouldn't have expected him to do anything different. He played completely within the rules" (DAILY MAIL, 11/27).
