‘Anarchy’ as Lewis Hamilton's decision to defy Mercedes team orders upsets management

Lewis Hamilton may have driven himself into trouble with his Mercedes team after defying direct orders near the end of Sunday’s gripping Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the British driver lost his title to teammate Nico Rosberg in a nerve-shredding finale.

Hamilton won the race but needed Rosberg to finish outside of the top three in order to retain his title.

In order to further this bid, he used a technique known as backing up designed to slow Rosberg down and allow pursuing drivers Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and Dutch teen Max Verstappen of Red Bull to catch up.

Had they both overtaken Rosberg, then Hamilton’s win would have been enough for the title.

Vettel and Verstappen were right on Rosberg’s tail in the closing stages as Hamilton refused to accelerate – even after Mercedes asked him twice.