Max Verstappen will keep F1 title, and Masi will lose his job after FIA investigation.
The FIA presented the findings from their investigation into the 2021 Formula 1 season finale on Monday, amid speculation regarding the future of race director Michael Masi.
Masi‘s position has come under the spotlight after his decision to restart the Abu Dhabi GP, which gave the opportunity for Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton to win the title on the last lap of the race.
Fury from fans who claimed Hamilton was robbed of the title, prompted an inquiry from the FIA into the final laps of the Grand Prix.
The FIA have been in communication with all teams and drivers regarding all of the controversy from 2021, including the teams’ radio contact with the race director during sessions.
Should the FIA decide to make any changes, they will need to be ratified by the World Motor Sport Council on March 18, just two days before the season-opening Bahrain GP.
That means it’s possible the FIA’s findings will not be made public just two days prior to the start of the 2022 F1 season.
Verstappen to keep his title
Verstappen‘s championship cannot be disputed after Mercedes chose not to protest the result of the Abu Dhabi GP.
When Verstappen was given the Drivers’ Championship at the FIA Gala in December, that marked the natural end of that matter.
Masi’s future in jeopardy
Race director Masi was already being questioned prior to Abu Dhabi after a series of inconsistencies throughout 2021.
The drivers and teams voiced their concerns about some of the penalties that were given, and not given, and this is an area which the FIA have also looked into.
Many believe Masi had too much to do, so it’s possible he, or the new race director, will be assisted so that the races run more smoothly and there is more consistency.
Team radio ban incoming?
The other big controversy during 2021 was the communication between the FIA and the teams.
In particular, Red Bull and Mercedes were heard making their stances clear in an attempt to protect their drivers or for a sporting advantage.
These radio messages will no longer be allowed from 2022, with communication limited to safety issues during a session.
