Ross Brawn: F1 Will ‘Stop’ the ‘Contact’ Between Michael Masi & Team Bosses in 2022

The 2021 Formula 1 season will forever be remembered as one of the greatest in the sport’s history. However, one crucial, albeit controversial aspect of it, was the interaction between teams and race control; something which will be discontinued from next season, according to Ross Brawn.

Not to be mistaken, it isn’t the broadcast of the communications between teams and race control, but the interactions themselves that won’t be allowed.

According to Auto Motor Sport Und, the Managing Director (Sporting) of F1 has decided to cut these lines.

“We will stop this contact next year,” Brawn said. He added, “The decision in the last lap is a highlight that cannot be topped. Unfortunately, the protest takes the shine from this final a bit.” 

“It is not acceptable that the team bosses put Michael under such pressure during the race. Toto Wolff cannot demand that a safety car should not come, and Christian Horner cannot demand that the cars have to lap back. That is at the discretion of the race director.”

Why did Ross Brawn have to resort to this measure?

Making this side of Formula 1 visible or audible to fans for the first time was intended to enhance the viewing experience. Surely, it added an edge to things. It gave fans an insight into how important the role of Michael Masi or race control is. And how results are so dependent on a race director.

But whether one attributes it to the intensity of the championship rivalry or whether it was ‘bound to happen’, the interactions between team principals and race directors kept getting worse and worse.

It reached a point where what started off as laughable, never-heard-before funny moments escalated to accusations and insulting digs at each other towards the end.

In fact, some fans, depending on which side they were on, suggested favoritism for the other team in the decisions. This is something that clearly hurts the integrity of the sport.

As fans, we would miss the dramatic and funny moments between teams and the race control during a tense situation. But looking at the current state of things, this is arguably the right decision.

Also Read: “Start Here First” – Red Bull F1 Advisor Marko Demands Action from New FIA President