Lewis Hamilton petition gains more signatures as F1 fans plead for Max Verstappen decision to be reversed

A petition to reverse the most controversial finish in Formula One history is still garnering signatures over a year later.

Both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were level on points going into the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the season.

It was an epic rivalry across the season and Verstappen would win his first F1 world title in the most dramatic fashion.

The Red Bull driver completed an overtake at the expense of Hamilton in the final lap to take home the win but a came after a crash involving Nicholas Latifi of Racing Williams led to a safety car being introduced with six laps remaining.

Hamilton had been 11 seconds ahead but FIA went back on their initial call on lapped cars being unable to overtake, and allowed to Verstappen, with his fresh tyres, to emerge victorious at the death.

There was monumental uproar over what happened and after Hamilton complained on his radio on his final lap, Mercedes launched two protests against the result, which were both turned down by FIA stewards.

A fan called Patel Gordon-Bennett' fumed over the call and set up a petition on Change.Org demanding Hamilton be handed the title as the result "will send a very wrong message to youngsters and future racers".

Image: Alamy

The description reads: "I believe that justice was not served on Sunday December 12, 2021 when the FIA stewards denied Lewis Hamilton of his win of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"With less than 1 lap remaining, some lapped cars were allowed to pass the safety car, which does not comply with the rules of the F1 sport. This gave rival opponent Max Verstappen the opportunity to overtake Lewis Hamilton and win the Grand Prix.

"If you are an advocate of justice, honesty and fairness, please sign this petition. Leaving this decision as it stands will send a very wrong message to youngsters and future racers."

Thousands of people put their name to the petition at the time but now, some 16 months later, the appeal has over 83,000 signatures.

In fact, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was trending as a subject on Tuesday as the events at the Yas Marina Circuit clearly still leave a sour taste in the mouth for many.

Image: Alamy

Race director Michael Masi was removed from his position following his high-profile mistake and recently attended his first F1 event since the Abu Dhabi controversy.

Verstappen was the victor in the Australian Grand Prix, a race that ironically finished behind a safety car.