Former F1 race director says FIA scapegoated Michael Masi over Abu Dhabi finale

Former F1 race director Niels Wittich says Michael Masi was made a scapegoat for the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale, insisting the safety‑car call was within the rulebook and that the FIA offered no backing. Wittich, who quit his own race‑director role in late 2024, says the one‑lap shootout was pre‑agreed by teams and the FIA’s handling eroded confidence.

Why it matters:

• The decision set a precedent for safety‑car handling in title‑deciding races.
• Teams doubt FIA support, raising concerns over race‑official independence.
• The controversy threatens F1’s credibility and may shape future rule changes.

The details:

• Wittich says the rules gave Masi discretion on safety‑car deployment and restart timing.
• He notes red‑flagging only applies with clear danger to staff, which wasn’t the case.
• He says the adjusted lapped‑car rule stayed within the 2021 regulations.
• Teams previously agreed races must end on green‑flag, not behind the safety car.
• He contrasts FIA support for Charlie Whiting with the isolation Masi faced.

What's next:

• The FIA will review the 2021 incident during the 2025 rulebook update.
• Teams want clearer safety‑car and red‑flag wording to prevent repeat disputes.
• Wittich says his remarks could spark a debate on protecting race directors from political pressure.