Michael Masi was seen offering Red Bull a deal during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021, video of which was aired on the F1 FIA team radio
In a race fraught with contentious issues, the biggest talking point which emanated from the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was Michael Masi’s conversation with Red Bull.
With the Jeddah track proving too dicey to navigate for some, Sunday’s race saw the red flags come out after Charles Leclerc span Sergio Perez before Nikita Mazepin slammed into the back of George Russell.
Michael Masi Opens Up After Video Of His Conversation With Red Bull On The F1 FIA Team Radio Goes Viral
However, before the stewards could decide it was prudent to halt proceedings to investigate the matter, Max Verstappen managed to ease past Lewis Hamilton. It became a bone of contention with finger marks being pointed at where the Dutch driver would start once the race resumed.
It lead to the FIA’s Michael Masi get on the radio to talk to Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to contemplate the matter. The conversation which was aired on live TV saw Masi offer what many have since gone deem as a deal with the director seen offering Verstappen to start behind Ocon and Hamilton.
While Red Bull eventually went onto accept the deal, the decision drew the furor of viewers with many questioning why Masi had not gone by the rulebook. The Australian has now opened up on the incident after being quizzed about him with him going onto rubbish any claims of him being in cahoots with Red Bull.
“I wouldn’t call it a deal as from a race director’s perspective I have no authority to instruct the teams to do anything in that situation/
“I can give them an offer, the ability to do that but the choice is theirs. The stewards are obviously empowered to give penalties but I can give them my perspective.
When I saw it happen at Turn 2, I immediately suggested to the stewards that I am going to give the ability to give that place back,” Masi said after the race.
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