Abu Dhabi GP Controversy Puts Michael Masi On Target

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete tightly at the Abu Dhabi GP (Twitter @F1)

JAKARTA - Race director Michael Masi is in the spotlight following the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race where Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton on the last lap after the safety car period ended.

Some have questioned the fair play and integrity of the world's most prestigious auto racing sport and the role of Michael Masi.

No one doubted Verstappen as a driver who deserved to be world champion as the 24-year-old Dutchman and seven-time world champion from England presented one of the most exciting seasons in Formula 1 this year.

However, the situation that led to the Red Bull driver's victory was so controversial that it put Masi, who was appointed race director to replace his predecessor, Charlie Whiting, who died in 2019, on target.

The grand finale to a season that had everything 🎉#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/WpjPhhoeQY

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 13, 2021

As reported by Antara, Tuesday, when the safety car was issued towards the end of the race in Abu Dhabi, Masi stated that the cars that were overlapped were not allowed to escape from the safety car before the race resumed.

Breaking protocol, he then declared that only five riders who had overlapped between Verstappen and Hamilton were allowed to escape, rather than all of them as usual.

That set up one final lap of normal racing so Verstappen, who took the opportunity to pitstop to change tires while Hamilton stayed off the track, found an easy path to overtake Hamilton seven corners to the finish.

"This is a new way of running the sport where race directors can make such ad hoc decisions," 1996 world champion Damon Hill said.

Even Williams driver George Russell, who will join Mercedes as Hamilton next year in tandem, views this as unacceptable.

"THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!" racer Russell tweeted.

"Max is a fantastic driver who had a great season and I have great respect for him, but what happened is absolutely unacceptable," said the driver, who will join Mercedes next year.

"I can't believe what we just witnessed."

Nico Rosberg, the 2016 world champion also commented.

"I think Michael Masi can decide what he wants and he is the director," the German told Sky Sport television, adding that Mercedes had devised a strategy for a rule which was then suddenly changed.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff declined to comment after the race was over.

Gray area

Regulation in F1 leaves a number of gray areas.

The "overlapping car may overtake" instruction is not given and the race director, under separate regulations, has discretionary authority when it comes to safety cars.

After the heavy rains of the Belgian GP, which ended with the drivers sprinting a few laps behind the safety car, it's understandable that he didn't want this thrilling season to end in pageantry.

He can also be heard engaging in conversations with the team via radio communication which was broadcast for the first time this season.

In Saudi Arabia, the race before Abu Dhabi, there were messy negotiations with Red Bull over Verstappen's grid position for the restart that cast doubt on Masi's authority.

That sounds, said Red Bull boss Christian Horner, like a bargain in the market despite managing director of F! Ross Brawn supports Masi's pragmatic approach.

2009 world champion Jenson Button realized that not many wanted to become race directors.

"He wants to make them race. He doesn't want to decide the world championship. It's a very difficult task but we see the races," said Button.

Meanwhile, the producers of Drive to Survive, the documentary series on Netflix that helped boost F1's popularity worldwide and particularly in America, probably won't complain about it.