F1 Race Director DEFENDS Abu Dhabi 21 Decision

TL;DR

Former F1 race director Niels Wittich publicly defended Michael Masi's Abu Dhabi 2021 decisions as within his authority, calling Masi's dismissal a scapegoating by the FIA.

Key Points

• 1.Niels Wittich argues Masi acted within his authority. Article 15.3 of F1 Sporting Regulations grants the Race Director 'overriding authority' over Safety Car deployment, and all teams had pre-agreed that races should finish under green flag conditions if possible.
• 2.Wittich says the red flag option was not valid. A red flag requires specific conditions like danger to personnel or a blocked track — neither applied in Abu Dhabi — making it an illegitimate alternative despite being widely cited by pundits.
• 3.Masi was made a scapegoat to appease Mercedes and Toto Wolff. The FIA investigation found 'human error' in procedure but Wittich said the conclusion seemed pre-determined, with Masi demoted and later quitting after receiving death threats, forcing him to return to Australia as a Supercars race director.
• 4.Wittich left F1 race directing in 2024 because the FIA offers no protection to race directors. He contrasted the current environment with the Max Mosley era, when Mosley firmly backed Charlie Whiting; today's FIA leadership leaves officials isolated under pressure.
• 5.The championship was decided over a full season, not one lap. Verstappen was taken out in Hungary and Silverstone by Mercedes drivers; Hamilton lost points by pressing a magic button in Baku and starting on inters in Hungary — meaning Abu Dhabi was one moment in a much broader contest.