Masi earns appreciation: 'Just wanted to finish in race conditions'

Much has been said about Michael Masi since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but he doesn't deserve the criticism he's received according to Helmut Marko. The Red Bull Racing advisor believes Masi deserves praise and appreciation for the decisions he made in the finale to the 2021 F1 season.

The safety car during the last race of the season finally gave Max Verstappen the chance to overtake Lewis Hamilton on the last lap. Mercedes were frustrated at this decision, but according to Marko their reaction is unjustified as the decisions Masi made were correct, the Austrian said.

"One must also credit Michael Masi, who wanted to finish the race under racing conditions. It’s like the referee, he has the right and if he decides like that, then that’s valid,” he told ServusTV. He then compares the decision to IndyCar and NASCAR where there are rules to ensure that a race always ends under race conditions. What Masi has done is therefore not strange.

The consultant also praises Red Bull Racing, as the decision to put Verstappen on soft tyres to end the race ultimately meant Hamilton had no chance of defending, and hence conceded the lead of the race, and the championship.