OTLEY'S Steve Stringwell found himself having to resolve another controversy at the Formula One season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Stringwell was part of the team of race stewards who disqualified the two Red Bull cars when it was discovered that their front wing did not conform to the rules.

It resulted in four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo starting from the pit lane in a race which saw Lewis Hamilton take victory to clinch the drivers' championship.

Stringwell said: "The FIA technical delegate pointed out the problem with the Red Bulls' front plate, which flexed and would create extra downforce.

"We called their designer Adrian Newey in and went and looked at the front plates on the Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren cars too, but they were rigid.

"As it was a breach of the regulations, we had to impose the penalty."

Stringwell, who described the Yas Marina circuit as "amazing", was relieved when Hamilton made a flying start to the race.

"My big fear was that there might be a coming together at the first corner with him and Nico Rosberg going for the title," he said.

"But Lewis made an amazing start and was well clear of any potential trouble.

"Apart from giving a drive-through penalty to Force India's Nico Hulkenberg for an incident with McLaren's Kevin Magnussen on the first lap, it was an incident-free race for us.

"It is certainly a real privilege to be a grand prix steward and work alongside people like race director Charlie Whiting and FIA observer Herbie Blash."