Messages between FIA and F1 teams should not be transmitted

In Jeddah, a conversation between FIA race director Michael Masi and Red Bull team manager Jonathan Wheatley about the return of Max Verstappen to title rival Lewis Hamilton sparked much controversy in a race that was already marked by it.

It was believed that Verstappen took an advantage by getting off the track while battling Hamilton on Turn 1, but a quick red flag meant no action could be taken about it.

During the hiatus, Masi suggested Red Bull move Verstappen to third behind Hamilton for the restart so that the race could start again without Verstappen having to relinquish a position on the track.

While it was just a suggestion from Masi to try to rectify the situation without involving the stewards, words like “offer” made it sound like a deal was being made during the exchange, confusing and alarming both fans and observers.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner compared it to a deal that was made in the local “souk” or market place, while Masi insisted that such discussions between the race management and the competitors are the order of the day.

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McLaren team boss Seidl says the whole debate could have been avoided if the exchange between the FIA ​​and F1 team managers wasn’t publicly broadcast, which is new to the broadcast this season.

“I think the only reason there is a debate now is that it is being broadcast,” said Seidl. “Before you heard that stuff. And I think that’s the big difference.

“To be honest, I was never a fan of this communication from my point of view, because it also goes back and forth with regard to security etc., which in my opinion should not necessarily be broadcast all the time, that’s my opinion on it.”

Seidl believes that the broadcasting of the messages also has an effect on their content; if they are consciously involved, they will now also reach millions of fans.

As explored in depth here, there are other reasons why it can negatively affect F1 racing to allow teams to convey their point of view in the broadcast.

“I don’t think that communication has changed in principle,” added Seidl. “I would say what goes backwards and forwards is even more controlled than in the past because everyone knows it is being broadcast.”