Max Verstappen’s 2021 world title will now NOT be overturned after Masi sacking ending Lewis Hamilton’s hopes

MAX VERSTAPPEN'S 2021 F1 world title will NOT be overturned despite controversial race director Michael Masi's sacking.

Masi was sacked after his decision to let a number of lapped cars between Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton overtake the safety car following Nicholas Latifi's crash.

The decision set up a grand stand finish on the final lap of the season and Hamilton was pipped to a record-breaking eighth world title by rival Verstappen.

Following the FIA's investigation, Masi was let go and the role of director will now be shared between Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, with the pair being assisted by Herbie Blash.

According to the , Mercedes have also ditched their plans to appeal the controversial decision made by the race director as Hamilton told his team he didn't want to win an eighth world title in court.

Hamilton was 'key to Mercedes' revised position' as he believed it was not in F1's best interests to proceed down a legal route.

That's despite Mercedes' lawyer, Paul Harris QC, believing they had an 'overwhelming case to present'.

Hamilton will instead try to win an eighth world title outright with the 2022-23 season just over a month away.

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Fellow Brit George Russell will be Hamilton's team-mate for the season.

But Russell has been far from impressed with Mercedes' car, saying 'There's still a huge amount of improvement to be made'.

The former Williams ace told : "First impressions of W13 have been interesting. 

"It's a very different car to the previous era - and the characteristics of how the downforce is completely different so we're still learning as we are going."

Before adding: "There's still a huge amount of improvement to be made to bring everything together and make it as nice as possible to drive.

"I foresee a lot of people being in the same boat.

"We're just learning so much day after day, whether it be in the winter or in the simulator and I think it's going to be a year of development.

"I think everyone wants to go into the first race and have the fastest car possible.

"But what will be more important is understanding what your limitations are and how you're going to improve from those limitations to build the best foundation possible."