Uncommon Abu Dhabi 2021 defence made for ‘scapegoat’ Michael Masi

Former F1 race director Niels Wittich has defended his predecessor Michael Masi’s officiating within the highly-controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Masi served as F1’s race director on the FIA however was dismissed following the controversy surrounding the title-deciding 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Masi’s dealing with of a late security automotive interval had a direct impression on the end result of that yr’s world championship and was massively criticised.

The Australian’s failure to use the laws accurately led to Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton when the race was restarted for one ultimate lap. Purple Bull’s Verstappen snatched victory and claimed his maiden world championship within the course of, denying Mercedes’ Hamilton a document eighth drivers’ crown.

However Masi has acquired some uncommon assist from a fellow former F1 race director Wittich, who adopted Masi within the sizzling seat earlier than stepping down in direction of the top of the 2024 season.

“From my viewpoint, Michael didn’t do this a lot unsuitable,” Wittich advised Formel1.de. “The laws didn’t strictly outline all the pieces. What he did was inside his authority. He had a sure stage of discretion in easy methods to deploy the security automotive.

“One key issue was that groups, FIA, and Components 1 had all agreed – over many conferences – that races ought to, if attainable, end underneath inexperienced flag situations. No person wished a race ending behind the security automotive.

“In Abu Dhabi, the state of affairs was such that any intervention would have deprived somebody. You might have red-flagged the race – however that requires particular situations like hazard to personnel or a blocked monitor. That wasn’t the case. So purple flag wasn’t actually an possibility.

“Then got here the lapped vehicles query. Initially, he mentioned they wouldn’t unlap themselves, then he allowed it – however modified the same old process by not ready an additional lap. That was inside his authority underneath the laws on the time.

“He primarily did what everybody had agreed upon: create one ultimate racing lap. It produced a spectacular end, an overtake, a winner and a runner-up. It might have gone the opposite manner simply as simply. That’s sport.

“A late security automotive is at all times controversial. Followers don’t prefer it if it decides the race – however that applies in all places. Whether or not it’s lap one or the ultimate laps, somebody positive aspects, somebody loses. That’s a part of the game.

“The Abu Dhabi race itself had been fairly uneventful till Latifi’s crash. With out that, it will have been a simple, maybe even boring finale. However due to the incident and the intervention, it all of the sudden turned decisive – and that upset one group of followers or the opposite.

“Folks later mentioned, ‘You might have red-flagged it, you can have accomplished this or that.’ Sure, you can – however these would have been inconsistent choices in comparison with earlier races. And consistency is vital.

“In conferences with the groups in early 2022, I requested them immediately: ‘Would you like us to red-flag each minor incident?’ They mentioned no. ‘Would you like completely different guidelines for the ultimate race?’ Once more, no.

“A championship isn’t determined in a single race alone. Factors misplaced earlier within the season matter simply as a lot. Each Hamilton and Verstappen had probabilities to safe the title earlier.”

Masi was the FIA’s “scapegoat” 

An inquiry by the FIA discovered “human error” was chargeable for the inaccurate utility of the principles and Masi was subsequently stood down from the position of race director. He acquired loss of life threats following the controversy.

“After the investigation following Abu Dhabi, the conclusion appeared to be that Michael needed to go – primarily discovering a scapegoat,” Wittich continued. 

“What was actually disappointing – for me and lots of colleagues – was the dearth of assist from the FIA for Michael. That’s one thing that must be clearly criticised. Everybody knew that in excessive conditions, you’d be left by yourself.

“Prior to now, underneath Charlie Whiting, there was at all times backing from FIA management – Max Mosley stood firmly behind him. That assist wasn’t there anymore. It nonetheless isn’t. That’s one of many causes I’m now not a race director in Components 1.

“No matter occurred, there was no correct dialogue, no backing for workers. And that’s the worst takeaway from that complete state of affairs.”

Masi, who continued to work for the FIA till July 2022, now works for Motorsport New Zealand and the NZ Championship.