Abu dhabi

I'll set out my position in the first line so no one can be in any doubt: Max Verstappen is a deserving world motor racing champion.

But the sport, the drivers and the fans have been done a grave disservice by the Race Director, Michael Masi, who has capped off a season where he has demonstrated that he is unable to make a final decision and that he is easily swayed by the pleas of team principles who have learned that he can be easily bullied.

The future of the recent development of podium interviews must be in doubt as two Formula One champions disgrace themselves and the sport by the use of coarse - in one case foul - language live across the conservative Abu Dhabi landscape and the world's TV screens.

It may say "Daimler" on the doors, but it says "Mercedes-Benz" on the cars, and that's what has attracted almost euro2 milliard of Abu Dhabi money into the company.