The excitement among the fans is high, as Formula One returns on March 18th. Last year, it was Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen, who won the World Championship in a dramatic fashion on the very last laps of the final race. Considering everything that happened in the 2021 season, Lewis Hamilton will try to put the disappointment of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix behind and target his 8th World Championship.

Although the 2021 season was a treat to the fans, the controversial decisions by Michael Masi were the center of attention. As a result, the Australian was relieved from his role as race director ahead of the new season. Two directors – Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich will replace him.

In light of this, Verstappen has voiced his support to Masi and feels the FIA unfairly removed him from the position.

Verstappen Feels Masi Needed Support

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had equal points on the table going into the last race of the season. However, Verstappen did not have a race to remember in Abu Dhabi until the very end of the race. Hamilton mostly led throughout the Grand Prix, but the Dutchman won the race and the championship in the last lap.

The controversy began when Nicholas Latifi crashed, which resulted in the introduction of the safety car. With only a few laps remaining, Masi ultimately chose not to end the race under the safety car. Subsequently, Verstappen, who was on fresher tires, overtook Hamilton to win his maiden world title.

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However, the current World Champion feels that Masi had no people around to support him. He said, “Everyone needs help. I have the whole team around me. Maybe Michael needed more people around him but he never got the opportunity. They really put him in the ground.”

The Dutchman also believes that the drivers don’t always have to agree with the decisions taken by the stewards at all times, but the important aim is to make the races exciting and conduct them in a fair manner.

Helmut Marko blames Hamilton’s silence

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes Hamilton‘s silence is the reason for the sacking of Michael Masi. He stated, “By his silence, he only wanted to show his dissatisfaction with the situation and the decisions. Part of that behavior subsequently also led to Masi being removed from his role.”

He also conveyed that Masi’s past performances should be have been taken as a yardstick before removing him from the role. Max Verstappen also said that replacing former race director, Charlie Whiting was a tough job, and Masi did not get enough credit for it.

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The FIA has overhauled the regulations, including a VAR-Style Virtual Race Control room to assist the race directors. With the changes set to be implemented, the fans and drivers alike will hope for fewer controversies and more nail-biting races.