Christian Horner has said that it's harsh Michael Masi has lost his job over Abu Dhabi

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has offered his reaction to the removal of Michael Masi as Formula 1 Race Director by the FIA, and has labelled it as a harsh decision.

The FIA’s new president Mohamed Ben Sulayem revealed in a video address last week that Masi would be being removed as Race Director ahead of the new Formula 1 season, off of the back of his controversial call behind the Safety Car in Abu Dhabi that led to Max Verstappen winning the world championship.

Certainly, it sparked huge debate and an investigation from the FIA, with it being revealed Masi would be being replaced and things like a virtual control room would be coming in to help support the new race directors.

Speaking to talkSPORT, though, Horner believes that the decision was a harsh one:

“It’s a difficult one, it’s the FIA’s business but I think it’s harsh.

“I think that he was in a very difficult position last year and I think that when you look at what he has at his disposal in terms of resource compared to what the teams have there’s such a massive, massive difference.

“I think it’s good to hear they’re bringing in things like a VAR equivalent and bringing back one of the most experienced guys in Herbie Blash and I just think there was so much pressure put on the removal of Michael that that’s not right, that’s my personal feeling.

“He didn’t actually do anything wrong in accordance with the rules. It’s a bit of a smokescreen if you look back at that race because Mercedes had two opportunities to pit because there was a virtual safety car and then a full safety car and the driver was asking to pit and both times they left him out. That’s what exposed him at the end of the race and tactically we got it right at the end of the day.

Horn