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No longer race director in Formula 1: Michael Masi
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Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
“No, Michael, that was so not right” – this radio message will probably go down in Formula 1 history.
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes Sport, dropped him off in one of the most spectacular season finales in history.
"Michael" meant Michael Masi, who, as race director, changed the safety car phase before the last lap of the last race, thus enabling Max Verstappen (Red Bull) to overtake Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in a decisive manner.
For Masi, the controversial season finale will remain the last one as race director: The world association Fia has now announced that Masi has to vacate his post.
In addition, the Fia announced a "virtual race management" that would help the actual race director in making decisions and "how video evidence in football" should work.
The communication between race management and teams should no longer be broadcast on television in the future.
There were repeated discussions between Masi and the teams last season, some of which openly argued about decisions.
Appeal after season finale
After the season finale, Mercedes initially appealed because Masi had interpreted the rules in an unusual way.
Among other things, five lapped racing cars between Hamilton and Verstappen were allowed to overtake the safety car before the end of the safety car phase, so that the path was clear for Verstappen's successful attack.
Other lapped drivers who were behind the Dutchman were not allowed to overtake.
In addition, the safety car went off the track immediately after the de-laps, instead of doing another lap in accordance with the regulations.
The stewards had announced that according to the regulations, Masi is authorized to control the safety car, including its use and deduction.
The Fia has now announced that the process of lapping back behind the safety car will be put to the test again before the race starts again.
Masi's job as race director is now shared between WEC race director Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, former race director of the ADAC GT Masters.
Both are supported by Herbie Blash.
Masi had taken over the post of race director prior to the 2019 season following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting.
hba/Reuters/dpa/sid