Michael Masi’s axing as Formula 1 race director has split opinion in the motorsport world, reopening the wounds from the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen was crowned the champion after passing Hamilton on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after Masi restarted the race in contravention of Article 48.12 of the Sporting Regulations.
He’s paid the price for that move, with the FIA confirming today that the Australian has been sacked as race director.
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Had Massi applied the rules as they are written, the race would have finished behind the safety car and Hamilton would have won a record eighth world title.
For months Hamilton fans have raged that the Abu Dhabi result should be overturned and Verstappen stripped of the title, which conveniently ignores the fact the Red Bull driver had the championship lead going into the race. It would also be impossible for the FIA to punish Verstappen for a mistake made by the governing body, not the driver.
Car magazine’s Curtis Moldrich posted that “Masi being fired removes any remaining legitimacy from that 2021 WDC (world drivers’ championship).”
https://twitter.com/Khurtizz/status/1494302145780269064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
McLaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris both said recently that they supported the retention of Masi, a stance supported by Supercars drivers Jack Perkins and Tim Blanchard.
“This is a disgrace,” Perkins tweeted. “F1 you’ve lost me.”
Blanchard agreed.
“F1 lost me as a fan today,” he wrote. “Can’t sack the umpire because the athlete didn’t get their way. When’s the footy season start?”
https://twitter.com/jack_perkins/status/1494410048508149760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/timblanchard3/status/1494418791379640320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
ESPN’s Nate Saunders put the situation into perspective, noting that while Masi failed to follow the rules, he deserves to be treated with respect.
“Crazy seeing some of the vitriol in replies about Masi,” he wrote.
“He made a big mistake in a high pressure moment but he’s just a regular person like the rest of us.
“Always seemed like a decent guy when I spoke to him. Just don’t think he was cut out for that job, ultimately.”
https://twitter.com/natesaundersF1/status/1494307930094678017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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