Why Verstappen thinks the FIA were wrong to sack Masi

The fact it was won under such controversial circumstances and will long be questioned by many is unlikely to bother him in the slightest. In his eyes, he is the legitimate and worthy champion, no matter the decisions made by Michael Masi at the time.

It is with regard to the former FIA race director that Verstappen recently veered off-type as he spoke passionately in defence of the Australian during the pre-season test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.

It was Masi who had a direct bearing on the destiny of the championship that exploded so dramatically over the closing stages of the season finale in Abu Dhabi last year as he made disputed calls given the sporting regulations in place, and seemingly came under undue pressure from both the Mercedes and Red Bull camps.

What unfolded is now well documented, and it is reasonable to argue Verstappen would not have spoken so vehemently on behalf of Masi had those calls ultimately conspired against him.

Yet he was unequivocal in his views with regard to the exit of Masi who, at the conclusion of a lengthy FIA inquiry, paid a high price for the decisions that ultimately turned the tide of the title away from Hamilton and towards the Dutch driver. After three years in charge, after being thrust into the position following the death of long-time stalwart Charlie Whiting, the FIA decided it had to relieve Masi of his post and place him into what is as yet an unspecified new role within the governing body.

As for Verstappen, he let his feelings be known on the matter, in no uncertain terms. “For me, it is really unfair what has happened to Michael because he has really been thrown under the bus,” said Verstappen.

“Of course, people talk a lot about what was decided in Abu Dhabi but can you imagine a referee, in whatever sport, has a coach or equivalent screaming in his ear all the time – yellow card, red card, no foul. It is impossible to make a decision.

“F1 allowed that. That team members could talk to him whilst making decisions is very wrong because it needed to be Michael making the decisions on his own without having people screaming in his ear.

“For those who did sack him, to allow that in the first place is, for me, unacceptable and I found it really incredible.”

Of course, Red Bull was just as guilty as anyone of such demands to Masi during a grand prix, not necessarily screaming as suggested by Verstappen, who was arguably referring more to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

But certainly, team boss Christian Horner and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley made clear their thoughts on certain situations at key times, not least of which was how Masi should orchestrate matters behind the safety car in Abu Dhabi following Nicholas Latifi’s crash five laps from the finish.

Verstappen felt Masi was in need of support, just as Whiting received all those years from Herbie Blash, who has returned as a permanent advisor in support of the two new race directors in Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich.

So the question is, if the FIA has now decided to install what is effectively a triumvirate of figures to oversee race control, why not at least take one of either Freitas or Wittich to work alongside Masi, with Blash as support?

Additionally, the FIA also decided direct radio communications during the race are now banned “to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully”.

Further, a Virtual Race Control Room is to be created, similar to VAR in football, that will provide a “real-time connection” with the race directors to “help apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools”.

Can you imagine how much easier Masi’s life would have been with such measures in place? So why “throw him under the bus”, to use Verstappen’s phrase?

You suspect, given the flood of criticism that followed the race in Abu Dhabi, the FIA felt it had no choice but to take the action it did, and that potentially there was influence elsewhere upon it to make its decision.

Verstappen suggested that with additional support and ongoing experience, Masi would have only improved, just as he has done over the years as a driver, and will continue to do so.

“Charlie had help around him and maybe Michael just needed a little bit more,” added Verstappen.

“Everyone needs experience. When I came into the sport, my first year, if I look at it now, I was a complete rookie. I am so much further on than I was back then and I think it would have been the same for Michael.

“To immediately sack him, for me, was not the right decision but I wish him all the best for whatever comes next. I hope it is better than being an F1 race director.”

With that final line from Verstappen, you sense that Masi may actually be better off out of it given the role appears to be a thankless one.

Images courtesy of Red Bull and Motorsport Images.