Who is Paul Harris QC
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Jack NicollDecember 14, 2021
Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Mercedes still looks set to protest the outcome of the 2021 F1 World Championship, with barrister Paul Harris QC leading their case, but who is he? What cases has Harris been involved in in F1? How did he ever successfully defend his title?
Of the two protests Mercedes made to stewards on Sunday night, one was doomed.
Max Verstappen’s alleged breach of clause 48.8 regarding overtaking behind the safety car was dismissed by the steward.
The main case for Mercedes was the race control’s failure to comply with the provisions of Article 48.12 for a lapped car to disengage itself and the safety car restart procedure.
The team has indicated its intention to appeal the final lap in Abu Dhabi to the FIA International Court of Appeal, which they believe, by reading the rules carefully, should not have happened.
Leading the protest is Paul Harris QC – but who exactly is Harris? What cases has he worked in F1 before?
- trend: Why Mercedes needs to drop the FIA protest now or risk looking like the bad guy
Photo by Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Paul Harris QC
Harris is based at the Moncton Chamber of Commerce in London, And was called to the bar in 1994.
He became “Silk” – another name for the QC – or the Queen’s lawyer in 2011.
Harris attended Cambridge and UC Berkeley — on a Fulbright scholarship.
- disclose: Lewis Hamilton wins three races in 2021 F1 World Championship
Legal 500 describes Harris as “the best sports lawyer in the legal profession” and he’s one of the “hardest advocates” in the cases he’s working on.
Harris has handled some of the biggest sporting cases over the past few years – not just in F1.
F1 case Harris has worked
Mercedes and Harris’ relationship dates back to the summer of 2013.
The team conducted a personal tire test with supplier Pirelli mid-season to help them learn more about the rubber.
Mercedes secretly conducted tests during the banned season, with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg wearing regular helmets.
Harris argues that because this is a Pirelli test that is not subject to FIA rules – Mercedes itself does not conduct the test itself.
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Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
The team was found guilty of breaking the rules, but the only sanction was a relatively light ban on testing for young drivers.
In addition, Harris spent time working with Racing Point (now Aston Martin) on the case against the Alfa Romeo team.
This happened at the 2019 German Grand Prix when Alfa was found to have used an illegal clutch setup and was disqualified on appeal.
What other sports has he represented?
Probably the most famous case Harris has handled on behalf of clients is the 2020 Champions League ban for Manchester City.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has overturned Manchester City’s ban from playing in UEFA’s flagship competition, citing Harris leading the City’s defence.
He also worked with Liverpool on the Luis Suarez bite at the 2014 World Cup, as well as other top Premier League teams including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
- disclose: How much money does Max Verstappen get for winning the F1 World Championship?
Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Is there anything to tell us about this article?
Jack usually writes or reads anything related to motorsport – from Formula 1 to NASCAR to British truck racing. His work as a motorsport reporter has been published in prestigious outlets such as Autosport, Motorsport.com and Motorsport News. In addition to racing, he is an avid amateur astronomer, podcast listener, and enjoys walks in the park with his three dogs.
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