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Former F1 Drivers’ champion Damon Hill has questioned the FIA’s decision to sack its former Race Director Michael Masi.
Michael Masi found himself between a rock and a hard place after his controversial decisions at the end of last season’s Abu Dhabi GP. The former F1 Race Director had come under heavy scrutiny after failing to follow strict safety car regulations as he gave the green light for a last-lap showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
With Verstappen on faster and fresher tires, the Dutchman had the gap to Hamilton closed down and breezed past the Mercedes driver to take his first World Championship. A few months later, Masi’s removal from his post was announced amid changes made by the FIA after their investigation into the controversial ending last year.
However, former F1 champion Damon Hill has admitted that he ‘feels sorry’ for Masi and has questioned the FIA’s decision to replace the Australian.
While speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Hill questioned the decision made by the FIA over parting ways with Masi. The 1996 World Champion said that Masi had, in fact done a good job considering the pressure he was under, “Was he (Masi) necessarily sacrificed? I feel sorry for the guy and we’ve had drivers say so [as well]. They’ve come out and said he did a good job in difficult circumstances.“
Hill went on to add that Masi was put in a confusing spot and the pressure from the broadcasters and F1 team bosses may have forced him to make a call which may have affected his decision.
“I personally think that the situation and the structure he was expected to operate in was the problem. I’m not saying it was right what happened [in Abu Dhabi], but we could see clearly during the season that confusion was being thrown into decision making and pressure by some of the team bosses,” Hill explained.
He concluded by stating it was not a happy ending to a sensational season, “There was also the pressure of those conversations being broadcast. If they fix all that, then I’m not sure they needed to get rid of Michael [Masi]. Not a happy ending to such a great season.”
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