NEW audio has emerged of the final moments of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
And it includes the ‘sickening’ moment race stewards execute Red Bull orders – allowing Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton and win the Formula One championship.
Mercedes fans were left speechless when Hamilton, who had led the whole race and was moments away from sealing a record eighth title, was pipped on the final lap by Verstappen.
Languishing behind five lapped drivers due to a safety car, the Dutchman was allowed to waltz his way up to Hamilton thanks to a bizarre order from race director Michael Masi.
Verstappen was on fresher tyres as the race commenced for a final nail-biting lap.
And he managed to overtake Hamilton moments before the last bend to seal a historic title win.
Hamilton and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff were left gobsmacked by Masi’s decision to make only the five drivers ahead of Verstappen unlap themselves, allowing him to drift back up to Hamilton and set up a showdown sprint.
But according to F1 Jordan, new ‘sickening’ footage has come out revealing Masi appearing to act on the instructions of Red Bull chief Jonathan Wheatley without any question.
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As Verstappen’s title hopes slipped away, Wheatley said on the radio: “Obviously those lapped cars, you don’t need to let them go right away round and catch up with the back of the pack.”
Masi replied ‘understood’ before Wheatley continued: “You need to let them go and then we got a motor race on our hands.”
Masi again said: “Understood, just give me a second.”
Wheatley is then heard speaking directly to Verstappen, saying: “We think all the cars ahead of you are going to pass Hamilton, everybody behind you will stay in position.”
However, former F1 star Damon Hill was not bowled over by the exchange.
He replied to F1 Jordan: “Sorry to burst your hot air balloon, but it’s not new or emerging news. It does however make for uncomfortable listening, as it did at the time.
“No one (except Red Bull) is happy about this. The question is, what does one do about it? Grateful for any ingenious ideas.”
