The former race director, Michael Massi he had to say goodbye to Formula 1 after a truly complex and controversial season like 2021. In particular, the Abu Dhabi 2021 episode decreed the end of his role. The decisions on the management of the final laps in the race which decreed the World Champion of that season after a hard fought battle between Verstappen and Hamilton. Mercedes, feeling betrayed by the FIA since those decisions were decisive in awarding the title to Max Verstappen, requested Masi's head. The former race director was then replaced starting from the following season.
Since Masi's farewell there has also been another change, namely the arrival of the new president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and in a recent interview he once again opened the doors to a return of Michael Masi to F1. Recognizing the challenges he had to face in such a complex season to manage between the constant pressure of two great teams like Red Bull and Mercedes.
Ben Sulayem defends Michael Masi
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, already in conflict with several teams for his "out of the ordinary" opinions on the arrival of new teams, recognized the difficulties faced by Michael Masi after the Abu Dhabi GP 2021. Suggesting a possible return if advantageous for the FIA. Ben Sulayem has indicated a change in the FIA's approach, potentially opening the door to Masi's reinstatement if he aligns with the organisation's future needs.
“I cannot apologize for something that was done before my advent” Ben Sulayem responded to The Independent. Alluding to the fact that in England there is still a lot of hatred towards the FIA for that episode which snatched the eighth world title from the hands of Lewis Hamilton.
“Okay, I'll apologize – the FIA number one then continued – but I will bring Michael Masi again. What do you think? That poor man is a person who has been attacked and abused. Michael Masi has been through hell. The hell. AND if I see that there is an opportunity that the FIA needs and that Michael Masi is the right person, I will take him with me”.
Who knows what Toto Wolff would say if he were to find Masi in the paddock. Just a couple of weeks ago, after Las Vegas, and on the eve of the race weekend in Abu Dhabi, Wolff brought up Masi's name again. Even if not explicitly. “We are competing for second place in the constructors' championship with Ferrari but in Abu Dhabi we will have a adequate race director, so everything should be fine" had Wolff declared.
