Improving the FIA’s decision-making is about more than just replacing race director Michael Masi, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claims.
Motorsport’s governing body is currently undertaking a “detailed analysis” of the process that led to Masi only allowing the lapped cars between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to overtake behind the Safety Car prior to the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Many, including Mercedes and Hamilton, feel that call was not only in violation of the regulations but also manipulated the championship in the Dutchman’s favour as he went on to overtake for the win and title with much faster tyres.
After having an initial post-race protest thrown out, Mercedes opted not to proceed with an appeal, believing the outcome they sought, ie. a change in the result that would see Hamilton become champion, was not possible in an FIA court.
However, Wolff has vowed to hold the governing body to account when the conclusions from their analysis are revealed.
In the meantime, there has been huge pressure from some parts of the F1 fanbase for race director Masi to be fired, but the Austrian doesn’t think that alone would solve the issue.
“It’s a bigger problem, my values are simply not compatible with the decisions that were made,” he told Motorsport.es.
“It is not just about replacing the race director. The whole decision-making system must be improved.
“It’s one thing to drive hard and have different points of view between drivers and teams, that’s normal. But inconsistent decisions inevitably lead to controversy, much of it totally unnecessary.”
Another argument that has been made is Masi made the decision for the show, as a one-lap showdown for the championship will no doubt look great on Netflix’s Drive to Survive… perhaps.
But again, Wolff doubted that was the case.
“I would never say something like that because, in the end, we provide entertainment, but that entertainment has to follow the sport and not the other way around,” the Mercedes boss stated.
“Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO] is a real racing man and would not be interested in intervening in the races for the entertainment factor.
“I can’t judge the pressure the race director is under at the time, but the rules are the rules.”
Despite the wave of criticism, Masi has had some support. Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto believes the Australian faced the “most difficult job on the planet at that time” and whatever he decided in Abu Dhabi “someone will be happy, someone will be unhappy”.
McLaren too praised his open-door policy and hoped the fallout from the championship decider wouldn’t “give the wrong picture of the reality”.
And when it comes to solutions that will lead to more consistent decision-making, Wolff ended by hoping everyone would work together for the good of the sport.
“I am sure that all of us, the teams, the drivers, the FIA and F1 itself, can improve the way decisions are made so that the category becomes stronger,” he said.
“While these situations are very painful, they are also opportunities to change and improve.”