sport news New F1 supremo Mohammed ben Sulayem reveals Michael Masi could return trends now
Formula One's new ruler Mohammed ben Sulayem made the incendiary claim on Friday that he could yet re-employ controversial race director Michael Masi.
The Australian official was held accountable for Lewis Hamilton missing out on an eighth world title during the decider in Abu Dhabi last December. Vilified, he paid with his job in February.
Sportsmail understands Masi has returned to his native Australia and remains on the FIA payroll and would ideally like a return to Formula One’s control tower. That would enrage Mercedes and Hamilton, both of whom campaigned for his dismissal. Team principal Toto Wolff recently called Masi a ‘liability’ and said he would oppose his return to high responsibility.
Mohammed ben Sulayem (L) has revealed that Michael Masi (R) could return to Formula One
But on Friday, in his first interview since taking charge of the FIA in December, Ben Sulayem told Sportsmail: ‘I didn’t get rid of Michael. He had a personal overload (of work)— safety delegate as well as race director. He made a mistake. It is not as if we said it is the end of Masi with the FIA.
‘I don’t do that sort of thing. Even people who didn’t vote for me, I embrace. We don’t think of individuals. We think of the operation itself.
‘I don’t know Michael very well. The decision (to sack him as race director) was made by the World Council. It was human error on Michael’s part.’
That was a reference to Masi being held to have freelanced the safety-car rules, producing an exciting last lap in which Max Verstappen, on fresh tyres, pipped Hamilton to the crown.
‘I spoke to him two days ago,’ revealed Ben Sulayem of the official. ‘I have no personal issue (with him). I don’t hate anyone. Michael is there and we might use him. I didn’t say we were getting rid of him. I said we might use him. He may be in a good place to use. We are open to everything.
‘Our race structure was wrong organisationally. And though we have brought in two new race directors, I wouldn’t say we have got it all right yet. We need to clean the stables.
Ben Sulayem won't let jewellery be worn in the cockpit despite Lewis Hamilton's complaints
Ben Sulayem wants Hamilton to set an example and send the right message to young drivers
‘It’s not like going to a supermarket and asking for some more stewards. You need firm and fair people, tolerant people. I am thinking, for example, of bringing in rally co-drivers, who have plenty of multi-tasking skills that are required, and training them up. We need a recruitment drive.
‘This lack of people in the FIA needs to be addressed. I would like to see a minimum of three race directors, ideally by the beginning of next year.’
Three! He appointed two in February to succeed Masi — Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, but only Wittich has undertaken the role so far. Ben Sulayem says Freitas will make his debut, with Wittich also in attendance, in Barcelona next weekend.
So next subject, what does the president make of Hamilton and his insistence on wearing jewellery in the cockpit?
A brief reminder of the facts. The sport’s superstar driver was told he must remove his jewels to conform with a long-existing but unapplied FIA safety rule.
Initially, before the last race in Miami, Hamilton said he wouldn’t comply and would even sit it out if necessary. Then, following a soothing conversation with FIA doctor Sean Petherbridge a few hours before first practice, he acquiesced by whipping off his bracelets, watches, rings, necklaces and earrings.
