There has been plenty of speculation that Mercedes want Michael Masi gone from his position as FIA Formula 1 race director.
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The FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, is reportedly leaning towards sticking with Michael Masi in a move that could anger Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton.
There has been plenty of speculation that Mercedes want Masi gone from his position as FIA Formula 1 race director. The reason? The controversial ending of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP.
However, a report in the Daily Mail suggests the FIA is open to keeping Masi while also revamping the structure around him. This would ensure, in theory, better decision making on his part.
But it is yet to be seen how Mercedes and Hamilton would react to this. It has not been said in public, but the team were clear in private they felt Masi’s position was untenable.
Yet it seems the FIA is heading in the opposite direction. And it is a move that will definitely not go down well with not only the team, but also certain fans.
While Red Bull Racing have not asked for Masi’s removal, his decision-making often left them infuriated. Team principal Christian Horner publicly slammed the race director on many occasions.
The muddled calls he made has even led other teams to ask for more consistent calls to be made.
Masi has not been impervious to criticism from anyone. Former Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson was scathing in his take on Masi’s handling of the F1 2021 season finale.
“First, I guess it’s positive for F1 that everyone is chiming in; that there’s so much passion for either side, Lewis or Max,” Johansson wrote on his personal blog.
“Whether it’s intentional or not, the entertainment value of this controversy has gone through the roof.
“But I think there has to be a balance somewhere because the decisions Masi made make no sense on any level.
“His decision completely ignored any level of common sense as to what would have been a fair way to handle the situation.”
Former F1 world champion Damon Hill, however, believes Masi should be given a chance to turn things around.
“I think he’s learned his lesson. I think we need someone who has some experience,” Hill told Sky F1.
“These people know what they are dealing with. He just needs back-up and needs to be given the confidence that he can lay down the law according to what he wants to see done.
“Assuming, of course, he wants it to be run to the regulations.”
But that is not something that former F1 driver Martin Brundle agrees with. In his opinion, if Masi was to stay on, he would be on his final life in the sport.
“If the FIA and F1 want Michael Masi to stay, and if Michael Masi wants to stay, he has clearly only got one life left,” said Brundle.
“So I don’t know if that’s tenable all-round.”
As things stand, it is unclear whether Masi will continue in the position. It is also unclear if Hamilton will be racing in the 2022 season.
