© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Former F1 race director Michael Masi says after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he told his parents “not to bother reading or watching anything”, because “it’s not healthy”.
Former F1 race director Michael Masi has returned to the Formula 1 paddock at the Australian Grand Prix, for the first time since the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The unjust decisions Masi made in Abu Dhabi at the time have denied Lewis Hamilton his almost certain eighth championship title win, and the FIA subsequently removed him from his role as race director.
Not only that, but the FIA’s official investigation into the matter has determined that Masi had made a “human error”, and this “error” basically handed Max Verstappen the 2021 title on a silver platter.
In a talk with Sportsmail, Masi said he was uneasy when he returned to the F1 paddock for the first time since that race.
“I was a little nervous on Wednesday, when I first came in, but you have seen with your own eyes the kind reception,” Masi said.
The Australian then explained how much his race director job affected him, especially after what happened in Abu Dhabi.
“I loved the job but you don’t realise the impact travelling so much has on you. When we last met in 2021, I literally lived on a plane.
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“The joys of being able to cook a meal at home, being able to catch up with relatives are now open to me.
“My only living grandparent, Agusta, is 89 and is 10 minutes down the road. She can’t speak a word of English (she speaks Italian) and she loves the fact I go to see her and have a coffee with her. Those little things. You don’t realise what they mean. Weddings, birthdays.
“When I stopped at the FIA, I told my parents, ‘Those days are done for me’. I had told them after the Abu Dhabi fallout not to bother reading or watching anything. It’s not healthy.
“The place can be a very toxic place. In many ways social media can be a great tool, but not so great in others.
“I have spent time looking after myself. It’s done me good. It’s what I needed. I spent a lot of time getting into physical shape but didn’t spend enough on the mental side for a long while.
“There were people I was speaking to privately, my then partner, she was an amazing support, and friends and family.
“As for professional help, I got that, but probably later than I should have done, [in] the latter part of last year.
“But things had largely calmed down by then,” Masi concluded.
