FIA 'aware' of leaked Michael Masi radio conversation as F1 investigation rolls on

A conversation between Michael Masi and Jonathan Wheatley at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix went viral on Wednesday and the FIA have now responded to the clip. Masi has faced heavy scrutiny since the controversial events at the Yas Marina Circuit in last year's season finale.

F1 team radio is nothing new for TV broadcasts with conversations between the drivers and pitwall regularly being televised for decades.

But a new element introduced last year thrust Masi into the spotlight as radio communications to and from Masi were brought into the TV broadcast.

The latest move was originally praised by team bosses such as Toto Wolff, who found it entertaining and said the radio messages meant "we can all have a laugh".

But as the title race became more and more tense throughout the year, Masi's communication with Red Bull and Mercedes was put more under the spotlight.

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With both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen level on points heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, F1 fans and all those involved were hoping the World Championship would be decided on the track.

And it looked, for the most part, that Hamilton was set to do just that having dominated at Yas Marina for nearly the entire race.

But drama soon unfolded in the final few laps with a safety car brought out, giving Verstappen an opportunity to pit for new tyres.

And Masi then came under intense scrutiny after he allowed the five lapped cars in between Hamilton and Verstappen to pass before restarting the race for one final lap.

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Mercedes were incensed, with Verstappen holding a huge advantage on fresh softs, with Wolff urging Masi to "reinstate the lap before, that's not right!"

Masi's reply