Successor Niels Wittich Defends Michael Masi’s Abu Dhabi Decision

The 2021 Abu Dhabi title showdown still divides F1. Former race director Michael Masi, defended by his successor Niels Wittich, says the safety‑car decision that gave Max Verstappen the final‑lap win over Lewis Hamilton complied with the rules and the sport’s aim for a green‑flag finish.

Why it matters:

• A single procedural call decided the championship, so any perceived unfairness erodes fan trust and the sport’s credibility.
• The FIA’s decision to sack Masi and overhaul race‑control rules signals a new era of oversight for race directors.

The details:

• Masi let the five lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen pass, then recalled the safety car on the final lap, giving Verstappen on fresh soft tyres a chance to overtake.
• Article 48.12 requires an extra lap before the safety car returns; Masi’s omission sparked debate, while Wittich says the rulebook allowed discretion and matched a green‑flag finish that both sides of the paddock had previously endorsed.

What's next:

• The FIA has introduced a “single‑lap” safety‑car rule to eliminate ambiguity in race‑closing moments, and Wittich left his post in 2024, citing lack of support.

The episode remains a benchmark for how F1 balances fairness with drama.