Bad losers after all? Hamilton and Wolff won't attend FIA gala

Thursday evening the motorsport awards will be handed out in Paris during the annual FIA gala. Max Verstappen will receive his trophy for winning the world title, but drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, who finished second and third, and constructor Mercedes should also pick up their prizes here.

Mercedes announced that they will not make any further protest against the result of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and with it the world title for Verstappen. On Thursday there were also official congratulations for the Dutchman and his team Red Bull Racing. Mercedes seemed to be a good loser after all, but the opposite seems true.

In a Zoom session with a.o. ESPN Toto Wolff announced that he will not attend the FIA gala on Thursday. The Mercedes team boss says he is in solidarity with Lewis Hamilton, who will also not be present in Paris. Hamilton's absence is officially against the rules. According to article 6.6 of the sporting regulations, the top three in the championship must attend the gala, but still the seven times world champion decided not to attend. James Allison will receive the constructors' award on behalf of Mercedes.