The FIA could reportedly go against the wishes of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes by refusing to sack race director Michael Masi following last month’s highly controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Masi has been widely criticized for his role in shaping the final result in the weeks since Max Verstappen clinched the Drivers’ Championship title in controversial circumstances at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Hamilton, who led the vast majority of the race, was cruelly denied a record-breaking eighth title after Verstappen reaped the rewards of a late safety car period to take the honor on the final lap.
Masi gave the latter a golden opportunity to fight back when he was allowed to move through the field after only the five lapped cars between him and Hamilton were called to overtake the safety car.
The decision caused a lot of controversy after the race as it was widely held that all lapped cars would have to lap themselves in such a situation.
Mercedes have reportedly been urging Masi’s sacking ahead of the upcoming F1 season, with Hamilton yet to decide whether or not to return to the grid if the 44-year-old does not receive his marching orders.
It seems as though the seven-time champion could be offended by the FIA’s proposed solution, suggesting that Mercedes’ ongoing dispute with the governing body could continue into the new campaign and beyond.
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According to the Daily Mail, senior FIA officials believe Masi can remain at his post as part of a revamped structure with an experienced support team around him.
Meanwhile, others are said to be insisting he must be sacked to salvage the sport’s reputation after the events in Abu Dhabi.
According to the report, extensive discussions were held with Mercedes in London on Tuesday evening, which were understood to be friendly and productive.
However, the two parties have been unable to draw any immediate conclusions about Masi’s future while the possibility of Hamilton’s return to the sport remains up in the air.
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He is yet to comment on the matter, having maintained radio silence in the weeks since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and is unlikely to be happy with the FIA’s plans to put things right, unless , Masi is released.
Only two days before the start of the new season in March will the organization announce the results of an investigation into the controversial race.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently urged the FIA not to assume Hamilton will race again this year, but hinted he cannot resist another opportunity to claim a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if he stopped, so I don’t think anyone should assume he’s coming back,” Brown said at a news conference.
“My personal opinion is that he will [return] but I don’t think we should ignore or not acknowledge his frustration, his anger.
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“I don’t think we should rule it out or take it lightly. Personally I just think he still has that burning desire to race and that will ultimately drive his decision.”
Brown also expressed his confidence in new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem to handle the situation with care and due diligence after being elected to succeed Jean Todt at the end of last season.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with him and I believe he will be a change agent where things need to be changed and improved,” added the McLaren boss.
“He’s also an adviser, he’s already done the rounds with the teams and spoken to us about what we think. So I think he’s going to be a very good president.”
