PARIS – Michael Masi to be replaced as Formula One race director after belated controversy surrounding Abu Dhabi title decision grand opening last December, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on Thursday.
Motorsport’s governing body came to its decision after conducting a detailed analysis of the wild finish at the season finale, where Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won his first world title after passing Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton into the final round.
The 44-year-old Masi remains at the FIA but in an unspecified role.
Ben Sulayem said: “A new race management team will be brought in starting from Barcelona (next week) for the test.
“Michael Masi who has done very hard work for three years is Formula first Race director follows Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new spot in the FIA, “he continued.” I presented this complete plan to members of the World Motor Sports Council and the Senate, who gave their full support. “
Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will alternate as race directors, supported by Herbie Blash as permanent senior advisor, Ben Sulayem said.
The results in Abu Dhabi follow a key decision by Masi, causing deep embarrassment and simmering for several quarters – with the FIA claiming the sport’s image has been tarnished as a result. .
Hamilton led comfortably until a crash by Nicholas Latifi sent the car safely out with five laps remaining. Verstappen stopped under yellow to get a new set of tires, and Masi rejected his decision and let the drivers separate Verstappen from Hamilton to pass the yellow safety car.
Verstappen restarted second after Hamilton and, with new faster tires, overtook Hamilton in the fifth round.
Mercedes lost in both protests over how to finish the race.
Hamilton was completely fed up with how he missed the eighth record F1 trophies to get ahead of great friends Michael Schumacher.
Masi was heavily criticized, although he also struggled in the race, with both Mercedes and Red Bull being able to speak directly to him during a tense moment. This raises the question of whether F1 is becoming too much of a TV show and less of a sport.
That debate is now over.
“Live radio communication during the race, now broadcast live by all TVs, will be removed to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to make decisions peacefully. ,” said Ben Sulayem. “It is still possible to ask questions of the race director, following a clearly defined and non-intrusive process.”
Structural changes suggest the creation of a new football-style Virtual Race Control Room, while safety car rear dismantling procedures will be reevaluated ahead of the first race in Bahrain on March 20th.
“Like the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football, it will be located in one of the FIA’s offices as a backup vehicle outside the ring,” said Ben Sulayem. “Connected in real time to the FIA’s F1 race director, it will help apply sports regulations using the most modern technological tools.”
Ben Sulayem hopes the 2022 season will be more attractive later High tension between Red Bull and Mercedes and from groups to the dominant officials in 2021. Latifi even hired bodyguards after receiving death threats.
“With this plan, the FIA paves the way for a new step forward in the field of Formula 1 arbitration. Without referees there is no sport,” said Ben Sulayem. “The respect and support of the referees is the essence of the FIA.”
The changes were announced the night before Mercedes launched the 2022 car, and Hamilton will be speaking in public for the first time since Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes posted a photo Thursday on Twitter of Hamilton and new teammate George Russell in their racing suits.
