P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Wolff’s "pathological egomaniac" Masi remark shows F1 Abu Dhabi 2021 wounds remain
Masi faced criticism for his handling of the 2021 season finale, where he controversially ended the safety car period, setting up a final-lap showdown between Verstappen and Hamilton. Despite backlash for not following rules by not allowing all lapped cars to unlap and restarting too quickly, an FIA investigation found Masi acted in “good faith.” Following the investigation, Masi was removed as F1’s race director, and the FIA made procedural changes to prevent a similar incident in the future. The 2021 Abu Dhabi race remains infamous in F1 history, with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff calling Masi “unfair” for impacting the championship battle. Hamilton was denied a record eighth title due to the incident, leading to ongoing controversy and discussions about the race’s legacy. Hamilton contemplated retiring after the race but ultimately decided to continue racing, describing the aftermath as one of the defining moments of his life.
