(Reuters) – Sebastian Vettel mentioned he hopes Formula One race director Michael Masi retains his job after the Australian made a controversial security automotive name within the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that denied Lewis Hamilton an unprecedented eighth title.
Masi has come underneath hearth for his choice to change the protection automotive process by getting solely the lapped automobiles between race-leading Hamilton and second-placed rival Max Verstappen out of the best way after a late-race crash.
The choice arrange a last-lap showdown between the 2 title rivals and allowed Verstappen, on more energizing tyres, to go Hamilton and win his first title.
“It’s not the easiest sometimes to be in the shoes of the referee or Michael’s shoes,” mentioned four-times champion Vettel forward of the launch of his Aston Martin workforce’s new automotive for 2022.
“But I think he’s done a great job especially filling in after (former F1 race director) Charlie (Whiting) passed away so sudden…”
The governing FIA has launched an investigation into the controversy, which has prompted hypothesis about Hamilton’s future within the sport.
The consequence of the investigation, led by the FIA’s govt director of single seaters Peter Bayer, will probably be put earlier than the Formula One Commission subsequent week.
Final selections are anticipated to be introduced on the World Motor Sport Council on March 18, the identical day as Friday’s follow for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Bayer mentioned in an interview with Austrian newspaper Vorarlberger Nachrichten that the FIA have been dividing Masi’s duties as race director to ease his workload.
Yet he additionally raised the likelihood that there might be a brand new race director.
Masi stepped into the function of race director after revered predecessor Whiting died immediately on the eve of the 2019 season.
“I don’t know either what’s his future but I hope he sticks around because I think overall he did a very, very good job,” mentioned Vettel.
“I think there’s a lot of controversy for the last race.
“There shouldn’t be. If you look at the bigger picture he’s done really well.”
(Reporting by Abhishek Takle; modifying by Toby Davis)
