Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have a sole request to the FIA: fix the Abu Dhabi mistake. The team was not happy about the call made by Michael Masi which ultimately cost Hamilton his historic eighth crown. However, Mercedes asked for change, and they may have got it. As the FIA released their organization structure chart, a certain name seemed to be missing.
Michael Masi, who was once listed as the Secretary of Single Seaters, is now expunged from the list. Now, the chart including the new president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, only features Peter Bayer.
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An interesting reorganisation in FIA administration from October 2021 to January 2022 according to the FIA site… Notice the differences?
(https://t.co/RB8kuUeouE) pic.twitter.com/yDxNI4FGNo
— Along The Racing Line (@ATRacingLine) January 11, 2022
Yet, it’s not like Masi has been shifted to another role; the Australian’s name has been completely erased from the list following the tumult of the Abu Dhabi GP. Mercedes had launched subsequent protests questioning the race director’s decision on the final lap.
What did Mercedes want from the FIA & Michael Masi?
In response to the injustice of the season, Mercedes fought for the need for change in F1; where rules are set in stone and not prone to changes for the purpose of entertainment. It has also been revealed that Masi’s sacking was a part of their expectations.
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Because of the race, Lewis Hamilton has been silent and retirement rumors have also come into play. With Hamilton far from shutting them down, it is believed he will decide to retire based on the FIA’s plan of action.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 11, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton gets out of his car after qualifying in second position REUTERS/Rula Rouhana
To avoid having Hamilton leave the sport, BBC Sport reported that Mercedes is waiting for the FIA to uphold their part of a very interesting deal. Mercedes dropped their investigations on the incident if Masi and Nikolas Tombazis were no longer in their seats; which, according to the chart, they aren’t.
Although Mercedes denies such a discussion, claiming that they agreed to drop the protests if the FIA takes the necessary actions. Are these the actions Mercedes hoped for or has the FIA made an independent call? We are yet to hear from the organization and the seven-time champion.
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