© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Max Verstappen says “it’s very unfair” that the FIA removed Michael Masi – the man who made his 2021 title win possible, and then shockingly reveals he sent Masi a text after his removal was announced.
As a result of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix investigation, the FIA decided to remove Michael Masi from the position of Formula 1 race director.
The Australian’s controversial decisions in Abu Dhabi created a situation which allowed Max Verstappen to easily win the 2021 title on the final lap of the race.
Speaking at the 2022 Barcelona Pre-Season Track Session, Max Verstappen unsurprisingly defended Masi and blasted the FIA for their decision to remove him.
“I think it’s not correct,” the Dutch driver said.
“Everyone always tries to do the best job, everyone can always use help. Like us drivers also – we have the whole team behind us, we prove it ourselves.
“For me, it’s very unfair what happened to Michael – he was really being thrown under the bus.
“Now, [the fact they] did sack him like that in the first place for me is unacceptable. And now basically [that they] sacked him is really incredible.”
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While it was not surprising that the man who benefitted from Masi’s decision would not be pleased to see him removed as a result of these same decisions, it is a bit shocking that Verstappen openly admitted he sent text messages to Masi after his removal was made public.
“I feel really sorry for Michael, because I think he was a very capable and good race director.
“I have nothing against the new race directors – because I think they are also very capable and very good race directors, but personally, and for Michael, I felt really sad and I sent him a text as well.”
The fact that Verstappen easily texted Masi would indicate they shared a closer relationship even while the Australian was still the race director.
It’s not surprising then, that Lewis Hamilton recently said the FIA needs to make sure that Formula 1 has “non-biased stewards”. The Briton also added some drivers have close relationships with “certain” decision-makers.
Getting back to Verstappen, he went on to say Masi needed more time and support.
“After Charlie [Whiting, former long-time FIA race director] died, it’s very hard to take over from someone like him.
“He had so much experience from the previous years, and also Charlie had help around him. And maybe Michael just needed a little bit more. Everyone needs experience.
“I came into this sport, my first year, if I look back at it now, I’m a complete rookie. I’m so much better than what I was back then and I think it would’ve been the same for Michael.
“So, to immediately sack him, for me, is not the right decision. But I wish him all the best with whatever comes next and I hope that it is better than being F1 race director.”
Max also criticised the FIA for allowing team principals to talk directly to the race director during races.
“People talk a lot about what was decided in Abu Dhabi, but can you imagine a referee in whatever sport has the coach or equivalent screaming in his ear all the time?
“Let’s say: ‘yellow card!’, ‘red card!’, ‘no decision!’, no foul!’ It’s impossible to make a decision.
“So, I think in the first place that F1 already allowed that – that team members could talk to him about making decisions – very wrong.
“It needed to be Michael making the decisions on his own and having people screaming in his ear was difficult,” Verstappen cocluded.
