System 1 has stayed fairly quiet since its race director Michael Masi bent the principles surrounding security automobile use within the closing phases of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However now, as the beginning of the brand new season looms, it seems like the game might quickly make adjustments following the fallout. And meaning the job of race director Michael Masi could also be on the road.
In accordance with quite a few reviews, Masi’s job could also be in danger on account of the calls he made within the closing phases of the 2021 F1 world championship. 5 laps earlier than the tip of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a crash from Williams driver Nicholas Latifi introduced out the security automobile.
To make sure the race completed below inexperienced flag circumstances, Masi rushed the method wherein the security automobile was referred to as in. He allowed the 5 lapped automobiles between race chief Lewis Hamilton and championship rival Max Verstappen to unlap themselves. Then, he instantly referred to as the security automobile in with only one lap of racing left.
In most traditional situations, both no lapped automobiles ought to have been launched, or all lapped automobiles within the discipline would have been allowed to cross. The remaining automobiles would then have accomplished one other lap behind the security automobile earlier than it peeled off into the pits. If this had occurred in Abu Dhabi, the race would have completed behind the security automobile.
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So, now that you simply’re in control on what occurred again in December, right here’s what’s modified since: Nothing.
The FIA has delayed publishing its report into the incident till March the 18th, which eagle-eyed readers will discover is the beginning of the 2022 F1 season. Regardless of this radio silence from the game’s governing physique, whispers have been circling since December that the farce was the ultimate nail within the coffin for Masi’s profession as race director.
Now, in accordance with Motorsport.com, the FIA has admitted that Masi’s job could also be below menace. The positioning stated that senior FIA official Peter Bayer informed reporters that the race director might be changed forward of the 2022 season.
The positioning stated:
“‘He has completed an excellent job,’ Bayer informed journalist Gerhard Kuntschik when requested about Masi.
‘We’ve informed him that, but in addition that there’s a chance that there will probably be a brand new race director’.”
In addition to probably changing Masi, the FIA might additionally implement a brand new race-management construction.
In accordance with the BBC, sources have stated that the FIA plans to introduce a sequence of safeguards that may depart the race director freer to make choices in a calmer surroundings.
The BBC stated:
“That is more likely to embrace a barrier between that function and the groups to keep away from the direct lobbying to which Masi was subjected from the crew bosses of each Mercedes and Purple Bull in Abu Dhabi.
“Revisions to the operations of the stewards – who’re impartial of the race director and resolve on penalties for breaches of the principles – are additionally being thought of.”
So, it does sound just like the FIA is able to study from its errors. However the sport’s popularity has taken a success with followers and well-known faces taking a stance towards its rule-changing ways on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
On prime of this, there are some who assume the adjustments the FIA makes to stop such an incident from occurring once more might affect Hamilton’s determination to return to the game.
The seven-time world champion has remained tight-lipped because the incident, with rumors abound that he might not return to contest a record-breaking eighth title in 2022.