Replacing Michael Masi as Formula 1 race director is among the “massive changes” being considered after the controversial ending to last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
That is from the man heading up the investigation into the decision-making process during the late Safety Car at Yas Marina, FIA secretary-general for sport, Peter Bayer.
So far, the review has seen consultations between new FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem and F1 team bosses, while Bayer and Masi also headed a meeting of F1 sporting directors, with the besieged Masi reportedly recusing himself when Abu Dhabi itself was discussed, a future meeting with drivers is also planned.
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A final report isn’t expected until the week of the season-opening Bahrain GP in mid-March, but solutions offered to avoid a repeat of the 2021 finale will be debated at the F1 Commission next month.
The outcome of the investigation is of particular importance to Mercedes, who have vowed to hold the FIA accountable in their response, while Lewis Hamilton’s participation in the 2022 season is still rumoured to be uncertain.
In recent days, however, it has become clearer that how each race weekend is managed from Race Control will be altered significantly, with a remote ‘Mission Control’ being considered among other measures to support the race director.
“The various tasks of the race director, who is also sports director, safety and course delegate, will also be divided up,” said Bayer as quoted by RaceFans. “That was just too much.
“We will abolish the ordeal of the race management and make massive changes. The team bosses will no longer be able to tune in on this channel.
“In future, the race director will be able to concentrate on his task and will no longer be distracted.”
But due to the huge amount of backlash to how Masi handled the late Safety Car in Abu Dhabi, Bayer reluctantly admitted the Australian’s future as race director is under review.
“Michael did a super job in many ways, we definitely don’t want to lose him,” he said initially.
“We told him that, but also that there is a possibility that there could be a new race director. I can only make suggestions to the World Council and they will definitely include Michael.”