Ferrari team boss backs under-fire Masi axe by FIA
Feb.18 - Mattia Binotto has backed the FIA's decision to axe under-fire Formula 1 race director Michael Masi.
Confirming speculation that changes would be ushered in as a result to the post-Abu Dhabi investigation, new FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem announced that two names - Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas - will succeed the Australian.
They will "act alternatively as race director" starting with the forthcoming Barcelona test, "assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior advisor".
Masi, whose handling of the safety car period resulted in Max Verstappen beating Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 title amid cries of unfairness, will be offered a "new position".
Three other key changes include the introduction of a football-like "video assistance referee" (VAR) system, and the axing of on-air broadcasts of direct contact between team personnel and the race director.
Alexey Popov, the outspoken Russian F1 commentator for Match TV, said the removal of Masi as race director is "a gift for Mercedes before they launch their new car" on Friday.
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto, however, backs the decision.
"We all have to trust the FIA to make the right decisions and that's why I can only support these reforms," he said on the day Ferrari revealed its 2022 car.
"What is most important is the unrestricted independence of the FIA, which requires complete mutual trust," Binotto added.
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An explanation:
It is from before the year 1800 that only one person rules. Such a system is too sensitive to arbitrariness, partiality, use of power, bribes, manipulation, influence and blind spots.
I am not claiming that Masi was guilty of this. Masi did make some wrong decisions. In Abu Dhabi 2021 this influenced the outcome of a championship. The chance that something like this happens with a multi-headed race management + VRCR + clear rules is much smaller. Decisions are now going to be made on the basis of consultation, facts, arguments, fixed rules and videos. Instead of one person's opinion. This alone will make the race management more professional.
The rotation of the race directors will also contribute to more objectivity and professionalism. As it has to be in top sport: when it comes to high tech, a high degree of professionalism and major financial interests.
The F1 GP is not a boy scout club!
Who in all honesty would have liked the final race finishing under a safety car. Hamilton thought it was going to happen that way & took his eye off the ball so to speak, went to sleep and then young Max, still wide awake took the prize 🏆 what a driver and what a race director, give it up M. Masi.
You cannot predict the unpredictable. Masi probably under pressure sabotaged the race and was fired for it..Max did not win, he was given the race. The FIA have admitted it. Not Max’s fault, he will know that in the real world he lost by at least 12 seconds.
This sort of thing has happened in the past. The business men at the top of F1 are hard ruthless and dangerous people only interested in money and power. Masi will never give his side of the story, much to dangerous, nor will Hamilton he’s been there before with Maclaren.
As Toto wolfe says, "a win is a win" he crossed the line first what was he expected to do, feel sorry for Lulu.
Max won the race fair'n square. period. Lulu and MB thought they had a god giving right to win and FIA has always came down in their favour with every dispute. Remember the 2019 Ferrari engine saga? It was never known in the history of F1 that FIA would change the engine regulations in mid-season; and all because MB and LULU were losing to Ferrari.
"Max won the race fair'n square. period." I don't get it did you watch a different race to me?
& rightfully so.