F1 Thread

[chadrtc]

My god the sob stories coming out of Mercedes are laughable. They've had everything go their way season after season and now won't stop crying

Toto and Lewis refusing to go to the ceremony now, Toto's missus is even on it and now they're dangling the "we hope Lewis doesn't retire because of this" carrot.

The question they should be asking themselves, is if the shoe was on the other foot and they had been the ones benefitting, would they have said, " no, this is wrong, they've made the wrong decision, don't overtake him Lewis, its unfair to win like this"....like **** they would have Toto would've been on the phone screaming at Masi to get the lapped cars out the way.

Are you alright? You seem to be taking this rather strangely.

[Harv]

Finding amusement that a team thats literally had everything go their way for 6 years now cant handle one incident going against them is strange?

Yeah im fine pal.

[Yozza]

Surprise surprise....

Michael Masi removed as F1 race director as part of FIA restructure in wake of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Michael Masi has been removed as F1 race director as part of a restructure at governing body the FIA in the wake of last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem announced a series of changes as a result of the inquiry into the controversial end to last year's World Championship.

Masi failed to correctly apply the rules in a late safety car period and had a direct impact on the outcome of the title race.

Two men will now alternate in the role, while extra help will be provided to officials.

The new race directors will be Eduardo Freitas, who formerly performed the role in the World Endurance Championship, and Niels Wittich, who did so in the DTM German Touring Car Championship.

Masi will be "offered a new position within the FIA", Ben Sulayem said.

In addition, as part of a wider restructure of race control aimed at providing a calmer environment, direct radio communications between the teams and the race director will no longer be allowed.

In Abu Dhabi, Masi came under pressure from both the Mercedes and Red Bull teams to make decisions in their favour. The huge controversy after the race arose from the fact that he seemed to follow Red Bull's suggestions, to the advantage of their driver Max Verstappen over Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

After Masi failed to correctly apply the rules in two ways - over the management of lapped cars and the timing of the restart - Verstappen used his fresh tyres to overtake Hamilton on old ones and win his first world title.

Prior to that, Hamilton had dominated the race and was on course to win a record eighth championship.

An FIA spokesman said the report into the failings at Abu Dhabi would be published at the season-opening race in Bahrain on 19 March.

Teams will still be allowed to put questions to race control, Ben Sulayem said, "according to well defined procedures".

These are expected to be addressed to a new layer of staff in race control, to keep the direct pressure off the race director.

Freitas and Wittich will be assisted by F1 veteran Herbie Blash, who was the deputy race director under former FIA F1 director Charlie Whiting.

Masi assumed the role of race director when Whiting died on the eve of the 2019 F1 season.

The FIA will add a remote race control that will operate in a similar way to the video assistant referee in football.

Ben Sulayem said he had presented this plan to the teams at a meeting of the F1 Commission on Monday, although this is contradicted by insiders who said that only a vague outline was given there.

He added that it had been given the "full support" of the FIA World Council and Senate.

"With this plan, FIA opens the way for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing. Without the referees, there is no sport," he said.

"Respect and support of the referees is in the essence of the FIA. That is why these structural changes are crucial in a context of strong development and the legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organisers, and of course, the fans.

"These changes will enable us to start the 2022 Formula 1 season in the best conditions, and our sport will be even more loved and respected."

[Oberon]

I see the delightful senhor Piquet is using the Suarez defence for some comments he has made.

BBC Link

[Harv]

Suarez defense?

What? That words have different meaning in other languages and cant just be directly translated to English, which white English speaking western do-gooders hellbent on extinguishing their own deep-rooted guilt for their ancestors racist tendencies cant get that through their heads?

[Harv]

No idea what Piquet has said BTW. But this "the Suarez defense" **** gets on my tits.

He did absolutely nothing wrong.

[Kenneth]

Yes he did, the racist prick.

[Harv]

if you say so Englishman

[Kenneth]

Sorry Mr cultured.

Repeatedly referring to someone’s skin colour during a heated and prolonged argument is racial abuse, even if there’s a ‘nice’ form of usage between friends. Can’t believe people are still wearing Kenny’s T-shirt’s in 2022 when there’s a detailed report on the matter.

[ChesterDave]

Bernie Eccleston, eh? Don't want it to seem like I am making light/joknig about dementia, but sure he has onset?

Formula 1 says comments by the sport's former boss Bernie Ecclestone on Vladimir Putin and racism are in "stark contrast" to "modern values".

On Thursday, Ecclestone said he would "take a bullet" for Russia's president.

The 91-year-old, who was removed as chief executive when US group Liberty Media bought F1 in 2017, added that the Russian president's war in Ukraine "wasn't intentional".

More. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/61992802

[BG1973]

Hamilton now trying to cancel old people. Little bit discriminatory if you ask me. But I am getting on a bit.

[RichC]

Hamilton now trying to cancel old people. Little bit discriminatory if you ask me. But I am getting on a bit.

What Bernie I’d take a bullet for Putin and Pique for racist and homophobic comments ? I’d say hearing a less from both of them would be good.

[ChesterDave]

He did make a rather general old people shouldn't be able to have a platform type comment but I suspect it was a toubge in cheek out of context mock of Ecclestone

[RichC]

It was about Ecclestone and lesser extent Jackie Stewart. He didn’t name check them as it’ll just stoke it more

Headlines will be headlines though

[BG1973]

He did make a rather general old people shouldn't be able to have a platform type comment but I suspect it was a toubge in cheek out of context mock of Ecclestone

It was a really dumb thing to say. I'd like to think someone will point it out to him.