Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff has made his feelings about Michael Masi and Red Bull team boss Jonathan Wheatley clear in a new documentary.
Former Formula 1 race director Masi has been near the top of the headlines in the sport for nearly three months. That is because of the controversial finish to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Masi made several critical decisions in the closing laps of the race that were met with fury by Mercedes, some other drivers and fans.
The decisions led to the scenario where Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to win the Drivers’ Championship.
What has happened to Michael Masi since Abu Dhabi?
In February, the FIA decided to remove Michael Masi as F1 race director.
Two new race directors, Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, will replace him. The Australian will have an offer to take up another role within the FIA.
The decision has been met with a mixed response, with many fans feeling the correct call has been made to remove Masi. Others, however, are not so sure.
Alpine’s Fernando Alonso, for instance, believes there wasn’t “anything wrong” at Abu Dhabi. Verstappen, meanwhile, describes Masi’s sacking as “very harsh“.
Before the decision, however, it was reported that some drivers and teams had “lost faith” in Masi due to decisions made throughout the 2021 seasons. Either way, the FIA’s decision does give the sport a chance to start a fresh chapter.
Wolff speaks out about Wheatley and Masi
Speaking as part of a new Sky Sports F1 documentary titled ‘Duel: Hamilton vs Verstappen’, Toto Wolff gave a clear answer on his present and future relationship with Michael Masi.
He simply stated: “I haven’t spoken to him. I don’t want to speak to him ever again.”
However, the Austrian did express some sympathy for the former race director.
He explained: “His decisions were wrong, and I’m sure he regrets them. The FIA should have seen much earlier that there was a problem. There was a problem with the structure. There was a problem of personalities.”
Toto Wolff also hit out at Red Bull team manager Jonathan Wheatley.
Wheatley was in conversation with Masi in the closing laps of the Grand Prix. He explained that the race could restart if Masi let through some lapped cars – which he ultimately did.
Read: “Shocking” footage shows Wheatley and Masi conversations during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Wolff alleged: “Jonathan Wheatley has done his job. He’s turned Michael Masi, the race director, not only in Abu Dhabi but before. Probably Max [Verstappen] owes him a lot.”
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