The controversy was rooted in an accident that involved Canadian Nicholas Latifi who crashed his Williams but then did not demand all lapped cars to pass by it prior to returning to racing.
Verstappen used the opportunity to put on a pair of fresh tires and return, which many now ascribe to as what secured his victory while Hamilton was struggling to control his car with the ones he slapped on during his last pit stop.
While Verstappen fans were celebrating, Hamilton bettors were “in pure shock/rage at the way the race ended.” Mercedes didn’t take it lightly either; both its protests against the result of the controversial title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were rejected by Formula 1 officials. The legal fight, however, may continue.
But Paddy Power decided to end with the controversy, at least when it comes to betting:
“We at Paddy Power hate sporting injustices – so we’ve done our bit after a controversial end to the F1 season in Abu Dhabi".
"Max Verstappen needed a miracle to win, and one duly arrived in the form of a dodgy decision from the race organisers who appeared to rip up the rulebook and go rogue for the final lap of the race."
"A safety car was sent out with six laps left, and that allowed Verstappen to bolt on a new set of tyres, and close a 10-second gap to Hamilton."
"But things got really spicy when the stewards decided to let cars the Dutchman had already lapped out of the way, leaving him to breeze past the seven-time champion who hadn’t been able to dive into the pits for a freshen up, and take the championship on the final lap of the season."
"Cue bedlam with Red Bull going wild celebrating, and Mercedes speechless and livid with the decision to allow some – but not all – of the lapped cars to get out of the way and gift Verstappen the win against a prone Hamilton."
"They lodged an appeal against the result, but that was dismissed (albeit hours after the race). They’ve launched another appeal against that failed appeal too, because, well, why the hell not?"
"But none of that matters for Paddy Power punters, because we have decided to pay out on both Max Verstappen AND Lewis Hamilton to win the World Drivers Championship."
"And for good measure we’ve paid out on both Verstappen and Hamilton to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix too."
"That’s just how we roll folks, consider justice served,” concluded the bookmaker.
Source: GMB
🚨JUSTICE PAYOUT🚨
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 12, 2021
We are paying out on:
- Both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to win the Abu Dhabi GP
AND
- Both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to win the F1 Drivers Championship!
Singles only, cash payout. T&Cs apply. pic.twitter.com/XUnHVR4Yc3
