After recent suggestions that Michael Masi could return to F1, Toto Wolff leaves no doubt about his opinion on the matter. Two years after the infamous Abu Dhabi 2021 incident, the Mercedes team principal is still unhappy about the former race director.
Even those who aren’t avid F1 viewers know about the controversy surrounding the 2021 Championship. In the two years since then, fans and media have often discussed stewarding and awarding penalties.
Several changes have been made by the FIA, largely in response to the infamous finale in Abu Dhabi. These have been received with mixed reception, which is something of an inevitability in the highest levels of decision-making in F1.
However, recent comments by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem have sparked more debate on social media. In an interview, Sulayem was generally positive in his description of Michael Masi.
He also suggested that, under the right circumstances, he would be allowed back into the sport. Speaking to motorsport.com, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made his thoughts on Masi clear:
“Brutal scars, incredible scars, and we will never get over them – in a way.
“They became scars, and there are moments when you think – How could that happen? We know how it happened.
“But I don’t want to waste a minute [thinking] about the reasons, because that would give the guy [Michael Masi] too much credit.
“He’s just an idiot who made the wrong decision.”
It goes without saying that Michael Masi is a figure who still generates plenty of controversy. Like several past seasons, 2021 will remain a hugely divisive year for F1 fans.
All things considered, it seems unlikely that Masi will return to the FIA in the foreseeable future. The backlash will almost surely dissuade any shock comeback for the Australian.
Still, the start of next season in Bahrain will inevitably put the spotlight back on the FIA stewards room.
