"Axing Masi would be a sign that the FIA is giving in to outside pressure"

On Monday, the FIA's Formula One Commission met to discuss a number of ongoing issues. These included changes to the sprint format, but also the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were discussed. The position of race director Michael Masi is under pressure, but Formula One journalist Joe Saward thinks the FIA would look bad by sending him away.

Saward already indicated that he does not believe Masi will be fired by the FIA, but adds that the organization would be cutting itself in half should that happen. "That would obviously be a sign of the FIA kowtowing to pressures from external forces," writes the Briton on his blog.

This is reinforced by the fact that the stewards rejected Mercedes' appeal in Abu Dhabi, ruling that the race director had acted correctly. "They are the official referees of the sport and thus the FIA wants them to be respected," Saward continued.

He therefore believes that it would be unwise to remove Masi from his position. "That would set precedents that would create unhelpful precedents for the sport," he notes. Whether Masi is indeed allowed to keep his position, we will find out in the coming days, according to the FIA.