© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner blasts Michael Masi not only for his handling of the Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, but also for starting the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.
Following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix inquiry, the FIA decided to remove Michael Masi from the position of Formula 1 race director.
In his appearance of ServusTV’s “Sport and Talk in Hangar 7” show, former F1 driver Christian Danner blasted Masi not only for the decisions he made in Abu Dhabi, but also for his decision to start the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix under the Safety Car in horrendous weather conditions, and call it a race after a few laps.
This awarded the race win to Max Verstappen even though there was no racing involved. This later gave the Dutch driver an advantage over Hamilton going into the last race of the season, because he had one win more than the Briton.
“I’ve had Masi on the phone many times,” Danner said.
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“He made two questionable decisions during the 2021 season. One at Spa – he didn’t have to start that race.
“That decision gave Williams a lot of points, but what did Alfa Romeo say – they ‘cooked’ the results!
Danner was then brutally honest when he commented on the fact that Masi made the exact same call that Red Bull asked him to make in the final moment of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“In Abu Dhabi, he just passed on what he was told from Red Bull Racing,” the German said.
Danner then said Masi could never live up to the standard set by legendary long-time race director Charlie Whiting.
“The ‘problem’ [for Masi] was Charlie Whiting. He was so incredibly good, he had everything memorized, he knew every single key player. That was impossible for Masi.
“So now let’s do it with two people.”
Danner is referring to Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, who will replace Masi as race directors and alternate between races.
However, the German doesn’t think it’s a good solution to have two race directors, since they will not both attend all races.
“When [Sebastian] Vettel called Whiting out over the radio one time, they met Charlie a week later and they could talk about anything.
“And it was always turned out that Charlie was right. It won’t be like that now, because the other guy won’t be there next weekend.
“Authority is the most important thing, otherwise you have the drivers right on your nose,” Danner concluded.
