Martin Brundle fears Formula 1 could make things worse if replacing Michael Masi as FIA race director is the only change made following the Abu Dhabi controversy.
Early next month, motorsport’s governing body is expected to present conclusions from an investigation into the decision-making process during the pivotal final laps at Yas Marina.
As we know, Masi made an unprecedented call to only allow the lapped cars between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to overtake the Safety Car before an immediate restart for the final lap, hugely benefitting the Dutchman, who used fresher, softer tyres to pass the Mercedes and claim the championship.
A public report into the controversy isn’t expected until the week of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in mid-March. However, the outcome could decide if Hamilton, who has been silent since a post-race interview in Abu Dhabi, quits or at least takes a break from F1 in 2022.
Since the final race, the focus has been squarely on Masi, with mixed views on whether he should stay or go.
“I think he’s learned his lesson. I think we need someone who has some experience,” Damon Hill said on Sky Sports.
“These people know what they are dealing with. He just needs back-up and needs to be given the confidence that he can lay down the law according to what he wants to see done.
“Assuming, of course, he wants it to be run to the regulations.”
Fellow pundit Johnny Herbert disagreed though, claiming: “I think he has done too much damage to Formula 1 and I think because of the position that he’s in, we have got to have trust [in the person].
“And I think that trust has completely and utterly evaporated.”
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Brundle though fears Masi could be made the “sacrificial lamb” from the Abu Dhabi saga, something he feels would be the wrong outcome.
“Who would you replace him with? Be careful what you wish for, I would say in this,” he said. “What I absolutely know for sure is that changing Michael Masi will not fix the problem.
“This is way too big a job for one person to handle in a 23-race season [and] it’s only going to grow – we’re all over the world.
“Back in the day, it was 16, 18 races for Charlie [Whiting, ex-race director] and Herbie [Blash, ex-deputy race director].
“Charlie used to start the race and Herbie was effectively the race director until Charlie got back from the starting rostrum down near the grid.
“They had it all under control, but it’s just growing exponentially. So Masi, if he stays, needs a lot of support around him, and I suspect that’s what they’re looking at, at the moment. And who would actually want to step into his shoes right now?”