Mercedes AMG PETRONAS have decided to withdraw its appeal against Max Verstappen for his defensive driving during the Japanese Grand Prix.
The team had originally disputed the way the Red Bull Racing driver had defended his position against Lewis Hamilton at the final chicane on the penultimate lap, but after lodging the appeal post-race have now decided to withdraw their complaint.
Verstappen had appeared to move across on Hamilton as they entered the braking zone, forcing the Mercedes driver to take avoiding action and cut across the chicane, but with the appeal no longer in play, Verstappen will keep his second place ahead of Hamilton in the final results.
The hearing was set to take place during the United States Grand Prix weekend as neither Verstappen or Hamilton were around Suzuka for it to be heard, but the withdrawal of the appeal means the result will remain as it was when the chequered flag fell.
According to Hamilton’s official Twitter account, the Briton seemingly convinced the team to withdraw the appeal, feeling it was not what Mercedes were all about.
https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/785072506289827840
