Marko partly blames Hamilton for Masi departure

Dr Helmut Marko feels Lewis Hamilton needs to take partial responsibility for the decision which led to Michael Masi being removed as F1’s race director.

As part of an FIA restructure following the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2021, Masi was ultimately axed from his role and has been replaced by WEC race director Eduardo Freitas and ex-DTM race director Niels Wittich on a rotating basis.

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They will be supported by the late Charlie Whiting’s right-hand man Herbie Blash and also a control room with assistants, much like we see in football in their adoption of the VAR system.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed that the team have been pretty much a sole voice in their defence and support Masi, while now reigning World Champion Max Verstappen feels Masi was “thrown under the bus” by the FIA.

And now another senior figure in the Red Bull camp has had his say, with Marko claiming that Hamilton’ prolonged period of silence on the events of Abu Dhabi somehow played a role in Masi being axed.

I’ve been gone. Now I’m back! pic.twitter.com/Y8i0cgJXZq

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) February 5, 2022

“By his silence, he only wanted to show his dissatisfaction with the situation and the decisions,” Marko is quoted as having told RTL.

“Part of that behaviour subsequently