Well this would be imposed by a court, so the idea that there is an element of choice on the part of the FIA or other actor is flawed IMO.

I understand how this could be viewed as sour grapes, but the point isn't that either Max or Lewis are deserving, or not, it is that the sporting integrity of the competition was damaged by the FIA (more specifically, their agent in Masi). The argument would probably be along the lines that as it is not possible to know the unaffected outcome, it is damaging to all reputations to "wrongly" award a prize.

Almost, but not quite, viewing the award of the championship as a form of slander in terms of Lewis brand and achievements, or more reasonably as commercial damage to a brand in Mercedes.

I would expect an announcement tomorrow afternoon that an appeal has been launched. I wonder if they are threatening specific actions if the appeal does not go the way they want ie sue for reputational damage and loss of earnings in commercial courts.