Niels Wittich, the former Formula 1 race director, has come to the defense of Michael Masi, his predecessor, over his controversial role in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which decided the championship between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
In that race, both Verstappen and Hamilton were tied on points, with Hamilton leading by over 11 seconds when a safety car was activated with six laps to go. The situation complicated when Masi allowed five lapped cars to un-lap themselves, which led to a dramatic finish and Verstappen’s first championship win.
Masi’s decision to un-lap only some cars and bring in the safety car on the following lap was considered by many as a violation of the current rules. Wittich stated that Masi did not commit serious errors and that his actions were within his authority, with a high degree of discretion to manage the situation. They had an agreement that races should finish under green flag whenever possible.
Wittich recalled that the lack of adequate support from the FIA towards Masi after the incidents was disappointing. The situation was classified as a “human error” and cost Masi his job, which became the subject of abuse and threats after the race.
This controversy has had a significant impact on the world of Formula 1 as it sparked a debate over refereeing rules and consistency in decision-making at critical moments. Fans and teams continue to analyze the repercussions of that incident, both in sporting and management terms.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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