Formula One stewards dismissed both of Mercedes' protests concerning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the controversial restart, upholding that Max Verstappen is the winner and 2021 World Champion.
The first centered on Article 48.8, which states “no driver may overtake another car on the track, including the safety car, until he passes the Line (see Article 5.3) for the first time after the safety car has returned to the pits.” Max Verstappen, who went on to win the 2021 World Championship, was cleared by the stewards of illegally overtaking behind the safety car.
“Mercedes claimed that Car 33 overtook Car 44 during the Safety Car period at 1832hrs, in breach of Article 48.