Michael Masi’s response to accusations that he “ruined Lewis Hamilton’s legacy”
Ex-race director Masi lost his job with the FIA in the wake of the controversy caused by his incorrect interpretation of the Safety Car rule which allowed 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen to overtake Hamilton, an෴d claim a last-gasp championship.
Masi is back in the paddock at the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 Australian Grand Prix🌜, in his home counܫtry, this weekend for the first time since Abu Dhabi.
“I was a little nervous on Wednesday, when I first came in,” he told the . “But yo🍰u have seen wi🔴th your own eyes the kind reception.”
Masi൩ was asked if “he understands the anger of those who accuse him of ruining Hamilton's race” and “possibly his lega𒀰cy?”
Masi replied: “They have their perspective and are entitled to their vi🤪ew.
“I respect any view, and it's not for me 🐎to comment on what they do or don't think💮.
“And if I a൲m approached to have a discussion I am open to it, and always have beeജn.”
Mas🐎i signed an NDA when he departed his job with the FIA meaning he cannot discuss details of that notorious race in Abu Dhabi, where Hamilton lost out on an all-time record eighth title, and Verstappen’s dominance began.
He now describes his time as🐟 a race director: “I loved the job but you don't realise the impact travelling so much has on you. When we last met in 2021, I literally lived on a plane. 𝓰;
“The joys of being able🍷 to cook a meal at home, being able to catch up with relatives are now 𓆏open to me.
“My only living grandparent, Agusta, is 89 and is 10 minutes down the road. She can't speak a word of English and she loves the fact I go to see her and have a coffee with her. T🐠hose little things. You don't realise what they meanꦓ. Weddings, birthdays.
“Wh🦋en I stopped at the FIA, I told my parents, ‘Those days are done for me’.
“I had told them after the Abu Dhabi fallꦕout not to bother reading or watching anything. It's not healthy. The place can be a very toxic pl𒈔ace.
“In many ways social media ca⛦n be a great tꦦool, but not so great in others.
“I have spent time looking after myself. It's done me good. It's what I needed. I spen𒆙t a lot of time getting into physical shape b𒁏ut didn't spend enough on the mental side for a long while.
“There were people I was speaking t𒐪o privately, my then partner - she was an amazing support - and friends and family. As for professional help, I got that, but ꧅probably later than I should have done - the latter part of last year, but things had largely calmed down by then.”
Hamilton has insisted that h🤪e won’t talk to Masi if they meet in Melbourne this weekend.
James was a spo෴rts journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
