FIA confirms: "Have told Masi about possible new race director"
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Since the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the FIA has been under enormous pressure. Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton are putting a lot of pressure on the investigation, which must be completed before the start of the 2022 season. Peter Bayer, the new head of single-seaters at the FIA, confirms that Michael Masi's position as race director may be in jeopardy.
It was previously reported that the FIA would take drastic measures following the discussions about the final race in Abu Dhabi. Especially from British media the demand to replace Masi is increasing. Bayer confirms to BBC that Masi's departure is an option.
Is FIA succumbing to pressure from Mercedes?
"Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that," says Bayer. Masi, however, seems all but certain of his current position. "We have also told him that there is a possibility that there could be a new race director," adds Bayer, who is leading the investigation into the events in Abu Dhabi.
The FIA acknowledges that the race director has too many responsibilities within Formula One. It is therefore likely that from 2022 onwards those responsibilities will be divided between different people. Whether Masi will stay on remains to be seen. Under the increasing pressure from Mercedes and Hamilton it seems increasingly likely that the race director will be sacrificed, despite the fact that the stewards in Abu Dhabi ruled that he acted within the rules.