MERCEDES staff have missed out on a whopping bonus after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen controversially pipped their man Lewis Hamilton to the F1 world title.
Workers were set to receive at least £10k each if the British superstar had won a record eighth championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
But a contentious safety car decision gave title rival Verstappen clear air to attack the Merc man, with the Dutchman pouncing to claim victory on the last lap.
Furious Merc chiefs immediately protested and now plan to take their claims to the FIA appeals court after seeing their pleas rejected on Sunday.
Hamilton himself had been in line for a mammoth £4million payout if he had lifted an unprecedented eighth crown.
The 36-year-old currently sits level with the great Michael Schumacher on seven drivers’ championships.
He is by far the highest-paid driver on the grid, taking home around £40m a year – including bonuses and add-ons.
Hamilton was leading at Yas Marina Circuit when a late Nicholas Latifi crash resulted in the safety car being deployed.
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Stewards said lapped cars would not be allowed to pass under safety car conditions, before reversing that call to allow a handful of backmarkers through.
That cleared the way for Verstappen in second to attack Hamilton on a fresher set of tyres, with the 24-year-old taking victory and his first world title.
While his team bosses ranted at race director Michael Masi, Hamilton calmly praised the new champ in his post-race interview.
And the veteran driver even hinted he may consider his future in the sport as he weighs up whether to return next season.
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