via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 10, 2021 Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff talks in the team principals press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 10, 2021 Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff talks in the team principals press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
F1 race director Michael Masi has been sacked. The FIA president had previously hinted that there would be some structural changes to the governing body. The sacking of Masi came on the eve of the Mercedes livery launch. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff mentioned that it is a good move by the FIA.
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The Austrian had been one of the main critics of the former race director. He had publicly spoken out after the controversial ending of the season finale in Abu Dhabi last year.
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Toto Wolff gives his take on Michael Masi’s sacking
As reported by Sky Sports, the Mercedes team principal mentioned that the role of a race director is difficult. He also mentioned that 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and his reported retirement had nothing to do with the decision.
Wolff o zwolnieniu Masiego: "Podjęto właściwe kroki i jestem optymistą, jeśli chodzi o te zmiany. Rola dyr. wyścigu nie jest łatwa, a teraz mamy dwóch doświadczonych ludzi. W ostatnich latach mieliśmy freestyle, jeśli chodzi o interpretację przepisów. Cieszy mnie to rozwiązanie."
— Cezary Gutowski (@CezaryGutowski) February 18, 2022
“The right steps have been taken and I am optimistic about these changes. The role of the director of the race is not easy and now we have two experienced people. In recent years we have had a freestyle interpretation of the rules. I am pleased with this solution, “ said Wolff.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021, Mercedes’ Team Principal Toto Wolff is seen during the race Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
He revealed that Lewis Hamilton had no influence on the sacking of Masi. “No, absolutely not. I think it was for Lewis himself to decide how can I could digest the events from Abu Dhabi and the same for the team, and I think we moved on.
“I have known Lewis for such a long time and I wasn’t [concerned about him quitting], but obviously this has had such an impact on him. When everything you do is about fairness and justice and then that happens to you, it is quite difficult, I understand, to cope with that,” added the Mercedes team boss.
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Although it is easily understandable that Hamilton would not influence such a decision, the timing of the sack was quite convenient. To announce such a major decision regarding the sport just the day before the launch raises some eyebrows.
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