Mercedes and Red Bull have now calmed the waves in the face of the controversial World Cup final in Formula 1. However, current statements by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff are fueling the dispute about the race in Abu Dhabi and the role of race director Michael Masi in it.
Toto Wolff’s anger does not seem to have gone away months after the events in Abu Dhabi.
In the last race of the 2021 season, a controversial decision by Formula 1 race director Michael Masi meant that Lewis Hamilton had to give up his lead and not least his world championship title to Max Verstappen on the very last lap.
As a result of a safety car phase, the Dutchman was allowed to line up directly behind his British opponent. On fresh tires he overtook Hamilton just before crossing the finish line, won the race and was crowned world champion for the first time in his career.
Mercedes team boss follows up: Red Bull “turned Masi”
For Toto Wolff it was clear afterwards: The vehement influence of Red Bull sports director Jonathan Wheatley via radio made the decision of the race management possible in the first place.
Wheatley “did his job. He shot Michael Masi, not only in Abu Dhabi but also before that and Max probably owes him a lot,” said Wolff in a “sky“Documentation that will be broadcast on Sunday. The TV station did not specify when the Mercedes boss’s statements came from.
He hasn’t spoken to Masi since the memorable Formula 1 finale, Wolff explained, “but I never want to speak to him again.”
Although the Australian’s decisions were “wrong”, Masi should not have been released from his duties for the new season: “The FIA should have recognized much earlier that there was a problem in the structures,” said Wolff.
For 2022, the world association introduced a new video control room in Paris. Masi was also replaced by Portuguese Eduardo Freitas and Germany’s Niels Wittich, who will take turns in the 23 races.