Masi GONE & reform details inc F1 "VAR"

[robscot]

Details emerging...

"FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirms an "in-depth reform" of "F1 refereeing and race direction", including a Virtual Race Control Room like VAR in football

Michael Masi is replaced as race director by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who will alternate the role "

https://twitter.com/Lewis_Larkam/status/1494300780...

"Masi removed as race director. Role to be shared by Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich assisted by Herbie Blash, formerly Charlie Whiting's deputy. As expected, no direct communication with race director for teams, and a virtual race control acting as a kind of F1 VAR"

https://twitter.com/andrewbensonf1/status/14943005...

[Snappy89]

As close to an admission of fault by the FIA as we'll get I think.

[Gtom]

Where is the like button when you need one?!

[HustleRussell]

Snappy89 said:

As close to an admission of fault by the FIA as we'll get I think.

Rather undermines the 2021 outcome on several counts, not that they'll do anything about it.

[robscot]

Source is this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-FArX73sV0

"FIA PRESIDENT MOHAMMED BEN SULAYEM OPENS THE WAY FOR A NEW STEP FORWARD IN FORMULA 1 REFEREEING"

[SmoothCriminal]

Good riddance it's embarrassing it's took so long.

Let's hope his sympathisers in the paddock and media who made excuses for him take a hard look at themselves for selling their morals for the show.

[robscot]

HustleRussell said:

Rather undermines the 2021 outcome on several counts, not that they'll do anything about it.

He specifically notes "unlapping procedures behind safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season" as well.

[Snappy89]

HustleRussell said:

Rather undermines the 2021 outcome on several counts, not that they'll do anything about it.

Sure but Max is going to be feeling those side eyes next season. Even more now he might get that growing sense that he stole one.

[longblackcoat]

Looks as though the FIA finally accepted that this was the only way they would get Hamilton back on the grid.

[parabolica]

Snappy89 said:

HustleRussell said:

Rather undermines the 2021 outcome on several counts, not that they'll do anything about it.

Sure but Max is going to be feeling those side eyes next season. Even more now he might get that growing sense that he stole one.

Like he gives a f***. History books will show him as the WDC, that’s all that will matter to him.

[rampageturke]

Eduardo is key to WEC running as smoothly as it does, I hope it does not detract from his current role. It would be a huge misfortune to lose him to F1 full time.

[HustleRussell]

parabolica said:

Snappy89 said:

HustleRussell said:

Rather undermines the 2021 outcome on several counts, not that they'll do anything about it.

Sure but Max is going to be feeling those side eyes next season. Even more now he might get that growing sense that he stole one.

Like he gives a f***. History books will show him as the WDC, that’s all that will matter to him.

He won't exhibit any kind of contrition because of what's at stake and because of the general pig-headedness of the man himself and his management team.

[Snappy89]

parabolica said:

Like he gives a f***. History books will show him as the WDC, that’s all that will matter to him.

You'd think he wouldn't, but by his own admission he was suffering more than he let on last season. I don't think he's as strong minded as you think he is.

[TheDeuce]

HustleRussell said:

Snappy89 said:

As close to an admission of fault by the FIA as we'll get I think.

Rather undermines the 2021 outcome on several counts, not that they'll do anything about it.

Indeed - but we expected that didn't we?

The main thing for me is that the FIA know it all went way to far for the sake of the show and became convoluted and false. The fact they've used the word 'reform' is quite powerful. They didn't have to, just sacking Masi without any particular comment would have satisfied most fans baying for blood.

I don't expect commercial pressures and temptations will ever really be prevented from interfering with the raw sport of F1, but I do now see a glimmer of hope that the FIA and F1's owners have detected it can definitely go to far and have a negative and damaging effect.

[London424]

He can think what he wants. It’s what everyone else knows and remembers that counts.

If that becomes the only title he ever wins then all the other single title winners would take the piss as “his one doesn’t really count”.

It’s what elite athletes do.

[Kevin Cozner]

Snappy89 said:

parabolica said:

Like he gives a f***. History books will show him as the WDC, that’s all that will matter to him.

You'd think he wouldn't, but by his own admission he was suffering more than he let on last season. I don't think he's as strong minded as you think he is.

Lost in the sliding doors moment is how he would've handled the defeat. As he himself has said, it should've been wrapped up well before the final. Being uncharitable, after his antics in Jeddah one could have said he bottled it. If he has any self-awareness he will very much know that himself.

[Sandpit Steve]

Good to see. Not a massive fan in general of firing people for mistakes, but it wasn’t just that one, and that one screwed with the championship.

Good luck to the new FIA race control team, inc Eduardo Freitas from WEC, and Herbie Blash back out of retirement!

[FourWheelDrift]

Eduardo Freitas is the voice we hear over the comms at Le Mans 24hrs for incidents on track.

[freedman]

Freitas is a perfect fit, after his almighty f*ck up in last years WEC finale

[JoelH]

TheDeuce said:

The fact they've used the word 'reform' is quite powerful. They didn't have to, just sacking Masi without any particular comment would have satisfied most fans baying for blood.

Just sacking Masi would have made it look 100% his fault rather than being a failed system with impossible pressures being put on one person. It's not about satisfying those fans who would only ever be satisfied by giving the title to Hamilton anyway.

There has been a lot wrong with F1 rules and their application for a long time. Spreading the load is definitely a good way forward.