F1 team bosses hinting Masi role-change likely this season
Feb.8 - Two Formula 1 team bosses are hinting that changes to race director Michael Masi's role are likely for 2022.
F1's governing body, newly headed by FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem, is currently conducting an investigation into the controversial outcome of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton's title finale of 2021.
"I'm not here to protect Michael Masi," Haas team boss Gunther Steiner says, "but we have to be aware that it's a very difficult job.
"I know the FIA is working flat out to make the work of the race director easier for whoever holds that position. Formula 1 has grown enormously as a sport but certain structures have remained static.
"I am convinced that good ideas will be presented to us on how this can be done differently," he added.
However, Steiner says he has "enough to do" at Haas without predicting what the FIA's next steps will be.
"I don't want to avoid the question - I just don't know yet how the FIA intends to strengthen its structure. So I don't get involved in that," he insisted.
Although Red Bull benefitted from Masi's final safety car call in Abu Dhabi last December, team boss Christian Horner is backing the FIA's reform efforts.
"The FIA wants to ensure the race director has better support, because the tools and technologies that the teams have at their disposal are much more advanced than what Michael Masi and his team have," he said.
"I think the FIA has paid a lot of attention to this topic over the winter and I think everyone will see that the person who is entrusted with this role in 2022 will be provided with more effective support."
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I Kept quiet for sometime, but as so many "enthusiasts", fans, whatever you may call, of F1 for so many years, and not been an Hamilton fan, but also a 'disliker" of Max and his tactics (on the good times, someone would already throw him against a wall, or quick his behind long time), I have to say that I still shocked by how the 2021 season ended, of how badly manipulated the end result was. And this guy, Masi, whatever defenses you believe you can create, will never be forgotten, like Balestre and Prost in 1988
maybe you mean 89 where Senna and Balestre fell out
Senna went on record saying it was a plot and conspiracy against him by Balestre, who he said favoured Prost. Senna would comment again on the matter after sealing his 1991 championship, reiterating his belief that he had been unfairly treated.
Now ive heard that somewhere before, just cant remember where?
Although I disagree with the way last year finished, to me, Toto Wolf is totally to blame for the end result, because he is so fixated on his car being at the head of the field at all times, that he totally ignored an almost standard operating procedure in racing, which is, Yellow flag out for an accident means come in for a change of tires. Mercedes have confirmed that they wanted the position on track, so didn't dive in or tyres. BIG MISTAKE MERCEDES.
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