Shocking insight from Masi: Formula 1 scandal led to death threats

In February he was relieved of his duties as Formula 1 race director, and Michael Masi recently left the FIA ​​completely.

Shocking insight from Masi: Formula 1 scandal led to death threats

In February he was relieved of his duties as Formula 1 race director, and Michael Masi recently left the FIA ​​completely. Now the Australian describes the frightening consequences that triggered the controversial Verstappen-Hamilton decision in the 2021 season finale.

After the spectacular finale of the past Formula 1 season, which culminated in Max Verstappen winning the title, then race director Michael Masi received death threats. The Australian told the "Sydney Telegraph" in Sydney. "They were dark days, I felt like the most hated man on the planet," Masi said. "I received death threats directed at me and my family."

At the 2021 final in Abu Dhabi, Masi played a key role in the Dutch Red Bull Star Verstappen being able to snatch the title from Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes. At the end of a late safety car phase, he made a short-term decision to withdraw the lapped drivers between leaders Hamilton and Verstappen - the cars behind Verstappen were not allowed to lap back. So after the restart there was a showdown between the two title rivals, which Verstappen won with fresh tires, Hamilton was no longer able to counter. At that time, Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff scolded wildly, "That was so wrong, Michael," he yelled over the radio.

"I can still remember walking the streets of London a day or two later. I started looking over my shoulder and wondering if the people behind me were going to attack me," Masi said in retrospect. He received "hundreds of messages" that were "shocking, racist, abusive, mean". "They insulted me in every conceivable way," said Masi, who was subsequently relieved of his duties by the FIA, the world automotive association.

"People called me names. I received death threats from people who threatened to take care of me and my family. And it continued, on my Facebook account and especially on LinkedIn, which is supposed to be a professional platform. It was the same Kind of insults," said Masi, who left the FIA ​​in July and returned to his native Australia. He wanted "to be close to the people who support me". He did not get psychological help, "but in retrospect I should have consulted a specialist," said Masi.