the australian Michael Masi was removed from the position of Formula 1 race director after his controversial decisions during the last and decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at the end of 2021, the president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced this Thursday.
The Masi’s decision to restart, on the last lap, a race then neutralized after a safety car, allowed the dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull) overtake Englishman Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) to get a first title of world champion. Hamilton strongly criticized that decision and considered that the race had been “rigged”.
“Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternately as race director, assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior adviser,” new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said in a video, adding that Masi will have another position within the International Federation.
“A virtual control room will be created. In the image of the video assistance referee (VAR) in football, It will be located in one of the FIA offices, outside the circuit. In real-time relationship with the race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations”, he stated.
“Direct radio communications during the race (between the race director and the directors of the teams), currently broadcast live on television, they will be suppressed to protect the race director from any pressure”he added.
Those communications between Michael Masi and the Team Principal of the Mercedes team, Toto Wolff, or that of Red Bull, Christian Horner, generated controversy.
Michael Masi, a 44-year-old Australian, came to that position on the death of his predecessor, Charlie Whiting, earlier in the 2019 season.
The Abu Dhabi Incidents
At the 22nd and final Grand Prix of the 2021 season of Formula 1, on December 12, Hamilton and Verstappen were level on points. Hamilton was dominating the race and on his way to an eighth world title, when Canadian Nicholas Latifi’s (Williams) accident at the back of the pack and the arrival of the safety car changed everything with five laps to go.
Masi later relaunched the race for a single lap. Verstappen had stopped to change tires, something that Hamilton did not do, who feared losing his position.
The Dutchman found himself just behind the Englishman, in a strong position to overtake him, which is what he did to end up being the champion.
Masi was criticized for his decision and the experts pointed out that he would have had two other solutions: good that the race finished behind the safety car and without overtaking, with the title then going to Hamilton, or have requested a career break, authorizing the drivers to change tires before a new start, so that the title will be disputed with the same weapons. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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