“He Gave It to Max Verstappen”: Fans Welcome New ‘King’ as F1 Pundit Backs Lewis Hamilton While Trashing Michael Masi Error

The controversial ending of the Abu Dhabi GP in 2021 doesn’t seem to leave the minds of the F1 world. Many widely believed that FIA Race Director Michael Masi made a human error to give Max Verstappen the title over Lewis Hamilton.

Although these claims are totally rubbished by the Red Bull team, it looks like F1 journalist Ted Kravitz might have slipped out the truth. In his ‘Ted’s notebook’ segment, the Sky Sports journalist gave his opinion on the exit of Michael Masi from the FIA entirely. A couple of days back, the Australian confirmed he will leave FIA to spend time with his family.

“Michael Masi didn’t interpret his rules the way they have been written, and that cost Lewis Hamilton the 8th championship. He gave it to Max Verstappen,” said Kravitz. F1 Twitter was quick to spot a potential ‘slip of the tongue’ from the Brit and gave their reactions to his comments.

Praising their new hero, fans were quick to place the journalist on a pedestal.

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After FIA had removed Masi as the Race Director for the 2022 season, the Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko blamed Lewis Hamilton for his ‘potential’ role in his exit.

Red Bull advisor calls out Lewis Hamilton over Michael Masi’s exit

The Austrian had claimed that Hamilton might have influenced the FIA by staying silent on the issue. He revealed that the 7-time world champion’s behavior might have also played a part in Masi’s removal.

“By his silence, [Hamilton] only wanted to show his dissatisfaction with the situation and the decisions. Part of that behavior subsequently also led to Masi being removed from his role.

I don’t think it’s right. You have to look at his performances over the years. If Masi had everything they are going to enter now at his disposal, it would have been easier for him to decide, a video referee and an advisor by his side. Michael is now being sacrificed for that,” said Marko on RTL.

WATCH THE STORY: Helmut Marko blasts Lewis Hamilton for role in Michael Masi’s sacking

We might never know what really happened in the Race Director’s room in Abu Dhabi in 2021. But it has certainly been a game changer in the sport. But with the exit of Masi from the organization entirely, maybe it is time to let go of the events.