FIA accused of 'breaking their own rules' in Hamilton title defeat

Lewis Hamilton's brother Nicholas has claimed the FIA "broke their own rules" after watching the Mercedes driver miss out on a record-breaking eighth F1 world title.

The 2021 Formula 1 season came to a controversial end with Max Verstappen crowned world champion after a late safety car period.

After the race, Mercedes quickly launched two protests alleging firstly that Verstappen had overtaken Hamilton under safety car conditions and secondly, that FIA race director Michael Masi had failed to follow proper procedure on the restart.

The stewards dismissed both protests but with Mercedes lodging its intent to appeal, the team buying itself 96 hours to confirm this, Nicholas Hamilton named his brother: "The true champion."

"The FIA broke their own rules, which is a disgrace to our whole sport."

Following the outburst on social media, Hamilton praised his brother and father Anthony for their grace in defeat.

"Regardless of being mistreated today, the Hamilton’s were humble in defeat," added Hamilton.

"My father, the guy who raised us, congratulating Max & his father Jos. People can say what they like, but my Father’s gesture proves all of the doubters & haters wrong & shows who we are as ‘The Hamilton’s’.

"Proving people wrong is in our DNA, which Lewis does on a daily basis. With utter professionalism & decency in defeat, even though we all know, that he was let down by the sport that he has given so much to.

"Congratulations to Max for such a fantastic season from him."

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