Controversy in Formula 1: the dialogues of the definition for the title that Verstappen won were revealed and the FIA recognized a “human error”

On the eve of the first official Formula 1 race of the year, a new chapter of last season's controversial definition has emerged. The final lap at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was full of controversy and now the FIA has acknowledged that racing director Michael Masi committed a “human error” after the accident of Nicholas Latifi that led to the consecration of Max Verstappen on Lewis Hamilton.

The governing body of motorsport concluded that the two conversations between Masi — who was removed from office last month — with the protagonists had a negative impact on the championship closing, although they pointed out that he had no bad intentions at all.

“The Director acted in good faith under the difficult circumstances, recognizing the significant time constraints in making decisions and the immense pressure exerted by the teams. It was found that these communications were neither necessary nor useful for the smooth running of the race,” the FIA said in a report.

In an official statement released by the authorities, it was made clear that Max Verstappen's title will not be changed or run any kind of risk even though Hamilton, who had a comfortable advantage until the Latifi accident, was harmed by Michael Masi's decisions.

“The process of identifying lagging cars has so far been manual and human error led to the fact that not all cars were allowed to pass. Due to the fact that manual interventions generally carry a higher risk of human error, software has been developed that, from now on, will automate the communication of the list of cars that must recover the lap. The results of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the FIA Formula 1 World Championship are valid, final and cannot be changed. According to the rules, Mercedes made a protest to the stewards after the race, seeking to change the classification of the race. The commissioners dismissed the protest and the team then had the opportunity to appeal that decision to the FIA International Court of Appeal, but it did not,” they specified.

The entity kicked out Michael Masi after the controversy that arose in the race that defined the title in favor of the Red Bull driver, who in the last lap overtook Lewis Hamilton after the Safety Car appeared on the Yas Marina circuit. The position is currently held by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who will act alternately in the position and will be assisted by Herbie Blash as a permanent senior advisor.

The FIA investigated the radio communications that Michael Masi carried out during the penultimate lap with Christian Horner, director of the Red Bull team, and Jonathan Wheatley, sports director of the Austrian team. Beyond the fact that some of the radio crossings between those involved are part of an episode of the fourth season of Drive To Survive, the Netflix series that shows Formula 1 inside, as published by the specialized site Autosport, this was the complete dialogue:

Christian Horner: Christian a Michael

Michael Masi: Yes, go ahead Christian.

CH: Why don't we get these cars out of the way?

MM: Just give me... because Christian... just give me a second... OK, my main problem is to clarify this incident.

CH: You only need one lap of the race.

MM: Sí.

Jonathan Wheatley: Obviously you don't need those surpassed cars to turn around right away and catch up with the platoon in the back.

MM: Understood. Just give us a second.

JW: You must let them go. Then we'll have a motor race on our hands.

MM: Understood.

On the next lap when five drivers were told they could overtake, clearing the cars between Verstappen and Hamilton, team boss Mercedes Toto Wolff, radioed Masi:

TW: Michael... Michael, this isn't right. Michael, that's not right. That's not right.

Then, when the safety car was returning to the pits, there was immediately another message:

TW: He (for Verstappen) just overtook the safety car.

Although the FIA report concluded that these two talks had a great impact on the outcome of the race and the future of Michael Masi, the entity seeks to close the matter. However, it will be necessary to see whether all the actors involved are satisfied, especially the members of Mercedes.

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