Formula 1: Michael Masi backed by Red Bull figure to keep job on one condition

Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley has said that Michael Masi can still continue as an effective Race Director in Formula 1 if the right support structure is put around him going forwards.

The 2022 campaign is edging ever closer with testing taking place at the end of this month in Barcelona, whilst March sees further testing in Bahrain and then the first Grand Prix of the season at the Sakhir circuit too.

Indeed, it is on the eve of the first Grand Prix weekend in mid-March we expect to learn the outcomes and results of the FIA’s investigation into the closing laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, which of course dramatically handed Max Verstappen the title on the final lap.

Many are certainly eagerly awaiting the decisions that come from that with one of the key lines of thought being that Masi may not be able to continue in his Race Director role or, if he does, he will need a wider support team around him to deal with team requests during a race.

Indeed, Jonathan Wheatley has backed such a potential proposal in speaking to the Jack Threlfall podcast, with him saying Masi has had huge shoes to fill since the untimely death of former Race Director Charlie Whiting back in 2019:

“Charlie was your ultimate poacher-turned-gamekeeper,” said Wheatley.

“Charlie had the respect, he was consistent in his decision-making, consistent in the way he dealt with people across the board. He knew when to tell you to shut up and when you needed an arm around you.

“He was an extraordinary man in that respect and I think the FIA were slow to realise just what a big pair of shoes that would be to fill and I think Michael, with the right support, is more than capable of doing that.

“On a personal level he is entirely a