“Nervous” Michael Masi Avoids Trouble After Being Accused of Destroying Lewis Hamilton’s F1 Legacy Thanks to Bizarre Agreement With FIA

Easily one of the most controversial ends to a Formula 1 championship season in a decade is the end of the 2021 season. Two drivers heading to the last race of the season with equal points is already a rare scenario. However, through the turn of events during the race, we witnessed drama like never before. Apart from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, there was another man who had a big say in the proceedings. That man is back in the paddocks for the Australian GP. Even though everyone would like to hear his side of things, a bizarre agreement with FIA won’t allow that.

We are talking about the highly controversial race director Michael Masi. The Australian is back on the track, albeit in a different role, and everyone wants to talk about one thing. Although, as reported by Daily Mail, the governing body of the sport made Masi sign a nondisclosure agreement. An NDA for his actions in a race? Bizarre but true! Although despite the NDA, the former race director did reveal his nervousness about showing himself on the track.

“I was a little nervous on Wednesday, when I first came in, but you have seen with your own eyes the kind reception,” he said. Masi was maybe surprised by the kind reception he got from his former colleagues. However, he did not expect that from Hamilton. When Hamilton was asked if he would interact with Masi, the Brit gave a stern reply.

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Understandable, especially after you hold some accountability towards a person denying you your ultimate dream. A dream which could’ve been achieved if Masi adhered to his actions in 2020.

Michael Masi contradicted himself with his actions in the past which would’ve favored Lewis Hamilton

We are all aware, the Australian race director came under immense scrutiny after his championship-defining decision in 2021. However, as we dig deeper and into the past, Masi’s decision in 2021 was a one-off thing. The former race director contradicted himself according to a statement in 2020.

“There’s a requirement in the sporting regulations to wave all the lapped cars past,” said Masi as reported by Mirror UK in 2020. “From that point, it was position six onwards that were still running [on the lead lap], so between 10 or 11 cars had to unlap themselves. Therefore the safety car period was a bit longer than what we would have normally expected.” 

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Coming from the horse’s mouth, does this mean Masi was wrong and cost Hamilton the eighth championship? Whatever the case may be, history cannot be changed now.