Mercedes have ‘drawn a line’ under Abu Dhabi

Lewis Hamilton will not face sanctions for ignoring instructions from the pit wall in last Sunday’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Backing up Nico Rosberg in the hope of pushing his team-mate off the podium, a result that he would have guaranteed Hamilton a fourth World title, the Brit was instructed by tech chief Paddy Lowe to up his pace.

Hamilton refused to.

He told Mercedes: “Right now, I’m losing the World Championship, so I’m not bothered if I’m going to lose the race.”

Toto Wolff was unimpressed with his driver’s antics, labelling it “anarchy”, and warned that “everything” is possible when it comes to sanctions.

However, days later, and in the wake of Rosberg’s shock retirement, Mercedes have let the matter go.

Non-executive chairman Niki Lauda told The Mail on Sunday: “There is no need to say anything to Lewis. We have no problem about how he raced in Abu Dhabi.

“We have drawn a line under it.”