“He was proof against any reactions and even at this time he hasn’t correctly thought that he did one thing unsuitable,” says Toto Wolff, criticizing former Method One racing director Michael Massi. Tuesday marks 4 months since Max Verstappen’s victory over Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi
Final replace: 11/22/11 at 10:47 am
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Michael Massi has disrespected F1 drivers
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has accused former Method One racing director Michael Masi of “disrespecting” drivers by behaving as if he all the time knew higher.
On Tuesday, will probably be 4 months since Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to take the title in final season’s controversial World Championships in Abu Dhabi. However Massey’s dealing with of the case stays a sore topic for Wolf.
Massey has been changed by the FIA for his position within the 2023 ultimate, with new race administrators Nils Wittich and Eduardo Freitas changing the Australian on a joint foundation and already sealing their authority on the grid with a sequence of regulatory crackdowns.
A evaluation of the ultimate phases of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was essential to how Massey dealt with the method of permitting simply 5 automobiles – drivers between Hamilton and Verstappen – to overhaul earlier than bringing within the security automotive on the final lap, permitting the Purple Bull driver to cross the lead and declare his first world championship.
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Expertise the gorgeous finale of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from the automobiles of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton and listen to the group’s radios, together with Hamilton saying the race has been ‘rigged’.
Wolff’s thoughts turns to the times main as much as probably the most controversial finale in Method One historical past.
“It is a lot enjoyable as a result of I had lunch with him [Masi] On the Wednesday earlier than the race, and I advised him I actually wished to inform you, with out coping with him, that you should take the criticism and develop from there. Luis does it daily, however you are a man who all the time appears to know higher. “
“It wasn’t about influencing him however in actual fact giving my trustworthy commentary that he should not masks outdoors opinion as mere mistake.
“You hear from the drivers and the way the drivers have been given instructions [by Masi] Among the males mentioned that the best way he handled a few of them was nearly disrespectful.
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Max Verstappen doesn’t imagine Michael Massey ought to have been sacked as race director after his controversial dealing with of final season’s title winner in Abu Dhabi.
“He was proof against any reactions and even at this time he hasn’t correctly thought he made a mistake.
“It was the accountability of the game as a result of everybody stored speaking about Abu Dhabi and the race director, and the race director shouldn’t be somebody individuals speak about, however somebody who does the job and makes certain the race goes in keeping with the laws.”
Hamilton is predicted to be at Mercedes’ manufacturing unit Brackley between now and the following race at Imola on April 24, the place he’ll play the Silver Arrows with rivals Ferrari and Purple Bull.
Hamilton is fifth within the standings, 43 factors behind general chief Charles Leclerc and 9 factors behind his new teammate George Russell.
The 24-year-old has completed effectively forward of Hamilton in two of the opening three races and is second within the standings.
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George Russell’s response to his first Mercedes podium.
Hamilton and Russell appear to bond and log on collectively forward of the Australian Grand Prix.
Requested if he was shocked by how profitable the Britons have been, Wolff replied: “Sure as a result of they’re very aggressive whereas nonetheless with the ability to work collectively.
“The hassle they put in to point out respect – from the youngest little one to the very best and from Lewis in appreciating the longer term expertise that exists in George – is spectacular.”
FIA admits human error in Hamilton-Verstappen title controversy
Final month, the FIA launched its full report on the Abu Dhabi World Grand Prix and confirmed that “human error” was an element within the controversy over the 2023 title, however mentioned Massey acted “in good religion” and that the race and championship outcomes have been “appropriate”.
Within the report, the FIA acknowledged that Massey had damaged F1 laws together with his dealing with of the delayed security automotive and permitting him to conduct a ultimate race lap between Verstappen and Hamilton.
The FIA says the race director “has known as the security automotive again to the pit lane with out finishing an additional lap as required by the Method 1 Sports activities Rules (Article 48.12)”.
The report additionally mentions the truth that solely 5 automobiles have been in a position to open themselves beneath the security automotive, and never all the automobiles that aren’t coated in keeping with the laws.
“The identification course of for rolled automobiles has hitherto been a guide course of and human error has led to the truth that not all automobiles have been allowed to disassemble themselves.”
They are saying they’ve developed response software program that may “automate calling a listing of automobiles that ought to launch themselves”.
However additionally they defended Massey, saying: “The report concluded that the race director was appearing in good religion and in accordance together with his data beneath the troublesome circumstances, particularly acknowledging the numerous time constraints for decision-making and the large stress exerted by the groups.
“The outcomes of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the FIA Method 1 World Championship are legitimate and ultimate and can’t be modified now.”
