‘He was a liability for the sport’ - Toto Wolff says Michael Masi ‘disrespected’ drivers in stunning broadside

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has doubled down on his criticism of Michael Masi, saying the former F1 race director had become a liability for the sport. Australian Masi, 44, had been under huge scrutiny since his controversial handling of the final race of the 2021 F1 season in Abu Dhabi which culminated in Max Verstappen taking the title from Lewis Hamilton, and was removed from the role of Formula 1 race director in February. Ad/> A review found that the controversy over the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 season finale in 2021 was down to «human error» but that the results were «valid».

Masi was subsequently replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas on a joint basis. Australian Grand Prix‘So much potential’ — Russell eyes Mercedes improvement after first podiumA DAY AGO Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has said it was unfair Masi had lost his job as race director and believes he has been «thrown under a bus». While principal Christian Horner went one further, claiming Mercedes’ actions were “tantamount to bullying” following the controversial 2021 season finale.

However, Wolff has doubled down, telling PA that Masi’s inability to receive feedback had led to the 44-year-old becoming a liability. «It is quite interesting because I had lunch with him [Masi] on the Wednesday before the race, and I said to him that 'I really want to tell you, without patronising you, that you need to take criticism on board and develop from there. Lewis does it every day, but you are a guy who always seems to know better',» he said.