Wolff denies Mercedes requested Masi's removal, backs 'necessary' FIA changes

Toto Wolff has denied questions that Mercedes only dropped its appeal against the FIA’s handling of the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix because it knew Michael Masi was going to be dropped as Formula 1 race director.

Connor McDonagh

18 Feb 2022

Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director.
© xpbimages.com

On Thursday, the FIA announced Masi would be no longer race director for the upcoming season as part of a wider restructuring of how it monitors F1 grands prix.

Mercedes initially protested the result of the Abu Dhabi GP after Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the title, benefitting from a late Safety Car period with the procedure under it not followed correctly by Masi.

Mercedes appealed the result before withdrawing ahead of the FIA’s prize giving gala on the Thursday after the race at the Yas Marina Circuit in December.

Speaking after the launch of Mercedes 2022 challenger - the W13 - Wolff dismissed any suggestions that the team’s decision to drop the appeal was linked to anyone leaving the FIA.

“Us dropping the appeal linked to anyone leaving the FIA is not true,” Wolff said. “I don’t know where that comes [from]. I think that the restructuring within how decisions are being made in Formula 1, sporting decisions, have been made, and also technical decisions were necessary.

“Last year was a great season but it created a lot of polarisation with decisions that were not always easy to understand.”

As part of the FIA’s new structure, it will have two new race directors that will alternate while the experienced Herbie Blash returns to the team - he worked alongside former race director Charlie Whiting.

The FIA has also introduced a virtual race control room - similar to VAR in football - to assist with decision-making at race weekends.

Wolff believes the “the right steps have been taken” by the FIA.

“I believe that the right steps have been taken and I am optimistic about the changes that have been implemented,” Wolff added. “Certainly the role of a race director is not easy, and now having two very experienced guys up there, that is good, but the support structure that has been built around them is essential. Not only in the race director room but with a remote control room, where the race directors can rely on feedback and input to make the decision-making process easier for them.

“I believe the last few years, couple of years, we have seen a little bit of freestyle in the interpretation of the regulations so yes, I’m happy with what has been implemented by the incoming president.”