Long ago, Daniel Ricciardo said something about the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. As well remembered, it was a Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen final showdown resulting in the latter running away with a rather shocking win. Back then, the F1 fraternity was divided between Verstappen’s win and Hamilton’s suffering.

Ricciardo, who wished his colleague and friend Verstappen, also sympathized with Hamilton. The ‘Honey Badger’, like several others, felt that Michael Masi’s (then race director) decision-making was questionable.

He revealed, “So I was just like ‘Is this really happening? This is nuts’. I watched it on TV in 2008 with [Felipe] Massa and Lewis and thought ‘that will never happen again’. Obviously it did. At that time I was just like ‘Man, I feel for Lewis’. It’s not often you put yourself in another driver’s shoes, especially when you’re on track with them.”

“But for whatever reason I was putting myself in his shoes that night, probably because I could see it all unfold in front of me. And I was like ‘I would not like to be feeling that right now. That’s a real heartbreaker’.”

It was indeed a heartbreaker. The seven-time world champion was on his way to picking up a hard-earned eighth title. Arguably, the Knight had things under control and was set to take the flag at the Yas Marina Circuit, if not for the last-minute rule change, which Ricciardo witnessed firsthand.

Daniel Ricciardo felt race control faced immense pressure

Masi was the one who took the decision at the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. He received severe backlash from fans, who threatened to stop watching the sport or felt Masi was biased. However, Ricciardo did sympathize with the race control’s situation too.

It is worth noting that despite Masi making several mistakes, many drivers wanted him to stay. Though inconsistent decision-making frustrated many teams last year, who knew 2022 would top it all. Many drivers have been very upset over the stewards’ irregular governance, which often favors the big shots in the sport.

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In fact, even a recent meeting took place that resulted in Sebastian Vettel picking up a hefty fine for storming out. So, what is all this about? After drivers requesting for just one race director; do you think it’s right?

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