THE most dramatic ending to a Formula One season in history may yet have one more incredible turn to it.
Pictures from the stunning season finale at Yas Marina circuit show Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton BEFORE the safety car had officially ended.
From an onboard camera on the Dutchman’s car there is clear track in front of him, with Hamilton’s car just about visible to the left of screen.
So the pictures seem to show Verstappen actually pulling ahead of Hamilton before technically being allowed to do so.
The shots come prior to the safety car officially coming to an end.
Mercedes have launched protests on two counts after the incident, with the saga looking like it could rumble on long into the night.
They are ‘relating to alleged breaches of Articles 48.8 and 48.12 of the FIA Sporting Regulations’.
It means race stewards could even dramatically OVERTURN the result if they find Verstappen to have breached any rules while overtaking.
Hamilton had seemed destined to secure a record eighth world title until a late safety car allowed Verstappen to overtake the Brit on the last lap of the race.
Hamilton was leading in Abu Dhabi by more than ten seconds before the safety car was called on lap 54 when Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers.
That allowed Verstappen to hone in on Hamilton, before using his fresher tyres to edge in front of the seven-time world champ right at the death.
He was able to close the gap after stewards decided to allow lapped cars to pass Hamilton, leaving the Dutchman with clear track in front of him.
It came after stewards had initially indicated lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen would stay in their formation.
So with both Mercedes and Red Bull still both fighting their corner after protests have been lodged, there’s plenty more drama still to come.
