Race director Michael Masi started the race for one final lap, having ignored the rules governing a safety car period in two different ways, and Verstappen, on fresh tyres, was able to pass Hamilton, ensuring he rather than the Mercedes driver won the championship.

The FIA did not on Sunday after the race provide an answer to questions as to why the safety car was not deployed to allow marshals to clear the mirror before it was hit by an F1 car.

On Monday, a statement said "normal practice is for the safety car not to be deployed if there is a small amount of debris, and off the racing line".

It added: "The extensive debris after a car hit the mirror and the punctures that occurred shortly after forced the decision on a safety car."

And shortly after that, the safety car was deployed.