Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz admitted that he is sympathetic with Australian motorsports official Michael Masi has been removed from role as Formula One race director, but at the same time the Spaniard confirmed that he “trusts” the changes that the FIA have officially announced ahead of the 2022 season.
While Scuderia Ferrari was presenting its new car for the next championship, the F1-75, FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem also took to the stage, and social media, in order to announce changes to this year’s race director responsabilities and format.
Michael Masi, who was highly criticized after the events which took place in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Max Verstappen win the Drivers’ Championship, has been fired and replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas.
The duo will rotate the role, assisted by Herbie Blash as a permanent senior advisor.
“Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as Formula 1 race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA,” added Bin Sulayem.
At the same time, a Video Assistance Referee (VAR) will be used, just like in football, and the teams will no longer be allowed to “pressure” the race director.
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Carlos Sainz has wished Michael Masi well for his future tasks in the FIA, and hopes the recent changes will ensure that the new race director is properly “supported”.
“I personally would like to wish Michael all the best in his new role.” – Carlos Sainz explained, as the Maranello team presented its challenger for the 2022 Formula One season.
“I’m sure he will be given a lot of responsibilities because we, as drivers, and for me at least I trust him in whatever he’s done lately and he’s done for the benefit of Formula 1. I also welcome the new race directors and I’m sure they will have a very difficult task to complete. We saw the last few years in F1, it is a very difficult role, especially filling in the shoes of the late Charlie [Whiting], you know, that we all definitely miss. But we also accept that this role needs to be done properly. It needs to be done and supported, like the FIA is planning. So I actually like what I see on the ideas from the FIA. Hopefully we can keep improving as a sport and the ruling of the sport can keep improving to give more clarity to all the F1 drivers, but also for the fans and teams.” – Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz concluded.
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