Former Formula 1 race director Michael Masi received support from Niels Wittich, who succeeded Masi as Formula 1 race director, over Masi’s controversial officiating in the title-deciding 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, both Formula 1 drivers, were separated when a safety car was deployed after Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed; Masi directed the lapped cars between them to unlap themselves and ordered the safety car to pit, enabling Verstappen to pass Hamilton on the final lap and claim the championship.
Niels Wittich, who officiated in Formula 1 from 2022 to 2024, told Motorsport’s sister YouTube channel Formel1.de that the regulations did not strictly define the situation, that Masi had discretion, and that stakeholders wanted races to finish under green flag conditions.
Masi’s actions were at odds with Article 48.12 of the sporting regulations, which state the safety car should return to the pits at the end of the following lap; had that been applied, the championship would have gone to Lewis Hamilton.
This article is based on reporting from Motorsport.
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