Fernando Alonso v Haas mess causes search for new F1 race directors
Masi was removed from his position as F1 race director in the wake of the controversial 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in which his mishandling of a 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Safety Car period altered the outcome of the race and the world championship, denying 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton a record-breaking eighth world title, and enabling 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen to claim his first drivers’ crown.
Under a series of changes implemented by new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, both experienced race directors in the DTM German Touring Car Championship and the World Enduranc🏅e Championship respectively, were brought in to alternate the role previously held by Masi during the 2022 season.
Inconsistent offici♚ating continued to frustrate the drivers throughout last season, and two highly-controversial incidents a꧋ppear to have proven the downfall of Wittich and Freitas, at least according to a report in Spanish media.
The first came at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, where 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Pierre Gasly’s near-miss with a recovery vehicle 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:prompted outrage among the dr🉐ivers. That incident happened under Freitas’ watch and he was abse📖nt from the remaining four races.
The second occurred at the United States Grand Prix and involved a contentious penalty that was awarded to 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Fernando Alonso follow🧜ing a post-race protest made by Haas.
Despite the FIA ﷽initially ruling that Alpine’s appeal was not ad☂missible, Alpine asked for a right of review, citing new evidence, and successfully saw Alonso’s seventh place finish reinstated.
reꦦports that along with Freitas, Wittich, who oversaw proceedings at Austin, may not return to F1 this season.
According to the report, Wittich wrongly informed Haas that they had an additional hour to file t🥃heir claim, when the regulation states a 30-minute deadline. The time of Haas’ protest was the point of contention that Alpine ultimately used to prevail in their own appeal.
Asked whether F1’s current race directors would continue in their position for 2023 during an appearance at the Dakar Rally, Ben Sulayem is quoted by MARCA as saying: “No.
"There is a proꦅcess underway. We have a team working on the training of curators and race directors.
“You can't have only one [director] I think we have to have aಌ second option. We can't trust each other because what if something happens? We have to be prepared for any contingency if we want to strengthen our sport.
“I always believe that in the world there is someone better, a better✨ race director... Our team is training them and I promise you, and you are recording📖 me, that we will have them.”
Ben S♑ulayem was also asked why Masi left the FIA complete𓆏ly last year.
"It was his choice,” he explained. "There are human mistakes⛦ and he didn't want to continue.
“When he received the threats on social media, I talked to hᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚim and told him that it was unfair and that the FIA would support him. It is the same thing that happened to Silvia [Bellot] or to another of our people.
“I myself was threatened to change the result [of Abu Dhabi 2021]. We have to be firm so that social networks do not endanger the future of our sport.😼”
Lewiꦑs regularꦑly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
