Michael Masi has been defended for his botched handling of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which led to Max Verstappen snatching the world title from Lewis Hamilton in controversial circumstances.
Masi was the Formula 1 race director in charge of the season finale last December. Verstappen had been leading the championship in the final few weeks of the year, but Hamilton's comeback had brought him back into contention and, leading comfortably with just a handful of laps to go, the Brit's eighth world title looked secure.
But a safety car period, caused by a Nicholas Latifi crash, thrust that into doubt. In his haste to make sure the title was decided under racing conditions, Masi rushed the safety car procedure and so Verstappen, on his fresh soft tyres, had the opportunity to overtake on the final lap – a chance he took.
