Danner thinks 'two questionable decisions' cost Masi his job

Michael Masi is no more. The Australian, who succeeded Charlie Whiting after his sudden passing in 2019, has left his FIA Race Director role. Christian Danner sees two key moments where Masi was not completely blameless.

"I spoke to Masi on the phone many times. But he made two questionable decisions, one at Spa. He didn't have to start. That earned Williams a lot of points - but what does Alfa Romeo say? Then also Abu Dhabi, where he just passed on what he was told by Red Bull Racing," Danner told Sport und Talk im Hangar 7 on ServusTV.

The former Formula One driver does not necessarily blame Masi for things, because he knows that the shoes that had to be filled were huge. Replacing Whiting is not something you do lightly, and 2021 proved that once again."The 'problem' is Charlie Whiting, he was so incredibly good. He had everything memorised, he knew every single key player. That was impossible for Masi. Now we do it with two people, ok."

Two matches the solution?

Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich are Masi's replacements. Danner is not sure if it is a good move by the FIA to go with two race directors. "When Vettel called Whiting out over the radio one time, they met Charlie a week later and they could talk about anything. And it was always the case that Charlie was right. It won't be like that now, because the other guy won't be there next weekend. Authority is the most important thing, otherwise you have the drivers right on your nose."

Freitas and Wittich will already be in Spain this week to oversee the test days. Undoubtedly, a first meeting with all the drivers and team bosses will also be on the program then.