F1's treatment of Masi 'unfair' says Ricciardo
Feb.15 - Daniel Ricciardo has called for calmer heads as Formula 1 delays revealing the fate of the sport's under-fire race director Michael Masi.
Ever since the highly controversial 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi, but even before that as well, there have been calls for the Australian's ousting.
According to which insider is asked, what will actually happen is unclear - with potential outcomes being Masi's replacement as race director or a re-jigged structure to provide him greater support.
The latest rumour, as the FIA revealed that it is not ready to publish the findings of its investigation, is that Masi will be shuffled aside into a safety-focused role.
"I can't remember a Formula 1 race director ever being discussed in the media like this," said fellow Australian and F1 driver Ricciardo.
"What happened in Abu Dhabi was a step into the unknown."
After the F1 Commission meeting in London on Monday, which was attended by team bosses including Toto Wolff and Christian Horner, the FIA announced that its new president Mohammed bin Sulayem listened to "feedback".
That feedback will now be "incorporated into the president's analysis" before Sulayem "will publicly present news of structural changes and (an) action plan in the coming days".
McLaren's Ricciardo weighed in on the matter and appeared to defend his countryman Masi.
"I don't know if the word unfair is right, but there have been disagreements before and the situation in Abu Dhabi created even more turmoil.
"Maybe everyone should shift down a gear."
Ricciardo's younger teammate Lando Norris agreed that Masi's decisions are respected "99 percent of the time", adding that drivers simply want clear, fair rules.
"We drivers make mistakes, it's just human, so it's only logical that race control makes mistakes too," he said.
"I support Michael Masi, but we have to iron out what hasn't gone right in recent years."
Ricciardo continued: "If Michael wants to stay, he should be allowed to stay.
"I don't think we should judge him based on just one race. Everyone who loves our sport still loves it, even after Abu Dhabi."
On Monday, the F1 Commission confirmed reports that there will be just three renamed Saturday 'sprints' in 2022, with the winner to get 8 points rather than just 3.
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His points are fair.
Leave Masi alone. He made his decison within the rules.
A legal principle (in British law) when the law itself is in dispute is to ask what was the intended purpose of the law or laws at the time that it was made. This should be decided by the stewards at the time of the dispute.It should be final and beyond further disputes the result should be provisional until the stewards have made a decision. That way there would never be an error that cannot be put right and determined before the prize giving.
@Blofeld
In any case, the purpose of race rules could never be to influence or change the outcome of a race. This should have been understood by every race director, and every fan, with or without explanation of the rules.
In any case, the purpose of race rules could never be to influence or change the outcome of a race. This should have been understood by every race director, and every fan, with or without explanation of the rules.
Thank you Mr. Obvious.
Get on with it.... duhh.
Yes but you must know that sir Lulu is behind all this. After sulking for almost two months turns up and wants the hole of the FIA sacked with Massi, now tell me that sir Lulu and mercedes are not running F1 if he gets his way and they are sacked then it's all over for F1.
Yes but tbf , its professional sulking, have to give him that lol
As for the new race directors..... DTM and WEC are nothing like F1,What could possibly go wrong.
F1 had a race director and a deputy, to learn/stand in, good plan, seems perfectly sensible, HB was deputy, but obv he retired, and Masi came in, and now went out..lol
New cars, New rules, biggest season ever, and two new guys to F1, i say again, what could possibly go wrong..!
I sincerely hope that nothing goes wrong and we have a brilliant F1 season no matter who wins.
Ever since George Russell entered F1 I've routed for him above Lando & Albon & Gasly always hoped he would get a chance with mercedes because they produce the exceptional car and that he could probably trouse sir Lulu, I hope I am not going to be disappointed and he turns out that he's Sir Lulu's wing man. Don't fall for it George, go for the win.
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