A position that is not surprising and for two reasons. At the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Mercedes complaint was rejected because the sporting regulations always contain ‘lifebuoy’ passages (more or less hidden) between its lines that allow the thorniest issues to be closed without great scope for appeal, and in this sense the facts of Yas Marina are not an exception.
If the FIA had admitted an error, the Abu Dhabi verdicts would potentially have been exposed to the risk of delegitimization, a scenario strictly excluded by the International Federation. Furthermore, the results of the investigation were not disclosed, but only the measures taken on the basis of what emerged.
Blacked out radios, transparency isn’t always a big deal
In the story of Yas Marina, the live television broadcasting of radio communications between the stations at the team pit walls and the race direction played a crucial role. The excited conversations between Red Bull, Mercedes and Masi in the final laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were in the public domain, sparking a series of reactions among fans and also among the professionals themselves.
Formula 1, always very attentive to social reactions, this time had to collect what is called a shit-storm (already …) a storm of protests from the hottest Lewis Hamilton fans.
After receiving a lot of acclaim over the last few years, Liberty Media and the FIA have had to acknowledge that the social world is not just a source of approval, and a quick reverse has been set in motion: starting from the next Bahrain Grand Prix, the radio communications will no longer be broadcast by television production.
At the end of Yas Marina’s race, more than one person in the paddock had underlined a very important step, namely the response given by Masi to Toto Wolff in front of the vibrant protests of the Mercedes team principal for the work of the race direction: “Toto, this it’s motorsport “.
A slap (promptly proposed by the television director) that the Mercedes team principal had to collect worldwide. The clash moved to a personal level, thanks to overheated souls, and here Masi has probably compromised his future in the role of race director.
The broadcast of radio communications wanted by Liberty Media has undoubtedly brought benefits in terms of interest from the public, but there are pros and cons, and when thorny events like that of Yas Marina happen, it turns out that after all, dirty clothes are very better to wash them in the family, even if it is a quarrelsome family.
Doing it worldwide has its drawbacks, because it is one thing to try to mend a tear known only to a few insiders, it is quite another to try mediation on a public matter.
In the first case the personal ego can be pushed aside, in the second it is much more difficult. From the next Bahrain Grand Prix, confidentiality will be restored, much less will be talked about on the radio and only the sporting directors will do so when necessary. Obviously without more television broadcasting of the conversations.
Masi’s head to soothe souls
Mercedes, by renouncing to continue any action against the FIA, will have obtained guarantees from the International Federation. Yesterday Toto Wolff clearly answered the question about a possible request from Mercedes regarding the removal of Michael Masi: “We did not give up the appeal because a person could have left the FIA. It’s not true, and I don’t know who put this thing around ”.
One thing, however, is certain, namely that Mercedes have learned with pleasure the new measures made official by the FIA, including that of the removal of Masi. The scenario that can be deduced from the statements of President Ben Sulayem is not entirely linear, because if the FIA has decided to profoundly modify the monitoring system of the Grand Prix, it probably does not believe that all the responsibilities for what happened to Yas Marina are to be attributed. in Masi.
However, the removal of the Australian referee was a necessary step. There was a response to the protests of the very large population of Hamilton’s supporters who pointed the finger at his work and, undoubtedly, the measure did not displease Mercedes, two aspects that help turn an awkward page to enter a new cycle. .
As the story evolved immediately after Yas Marina’s checkered flag, the partial or total responsibility of Masi became a secondary aspect, his removal was necessary to close the story, and so it was. With all due respect to all.
The suspicious timing of the FIA announcement
For two months, Formula 1 was in hibernation, especially in the media. The activity resumed with the presentation of the single-seaters, and without a doubt that of the new Ferrari was among the most anticipated. Curiously, the long-awaited communication of the FIA decisions (enriched by a video message from Ben Sulayem) arrived just as the presentation of the F1-75 was in progress, creating quite a stir among the media that had to jump through hoops to double their attention. .
Coincidence? An oversight? Possible, but realistically it is difficult to think that the FIA was not aware of the Ferrari event, and even among some insiders there was some ironic comment.
There are those who believe that perhaps the FIA has tried to make everything pass subdued by taking advantage of the very moment when the spotlight of world motorsport was on Maranello.
Impossible mission, but in the face of two events of great importance, undoubtedly the media space dedicated to the story was less than that which would have been dedicated in a calmer moment.
The new FIA structure and Formula 1 position
We therefore enter a new era, complete with VAR, rotation of match directors and new rules governing communications. On paper there is everything to aim for a more linear decision-making process, but the balance of power in the governance of Formula 1 will also play an important role.
The FIA deserves credit for having carried out a great campaign in favor of safety, with the introduction of both technical and sporting rules. In the latter case, the intervention on the track of the safety car or the red flag is well regulated, and should not leave room for interpretation, as happened in Abu Dhabi.
Faced with safety, and the basic values of a sport, the show should take a step backwards. Unfortunately, the FIA has not communicated the results of the internal investigation, and it is a pity because it would have been very interesting to learn the final assessments that emerged.
But in the future it will be necessary that even the decisions aimed at increasing the show do not invade a field that takes precedence over everything. Faced with scenarios that are part of a car race, such as that of a race that due to an accident is about to end under the safety car regime (as it should have been in Abu Dhabi) we must take note, and not force your hand, because it is anything but an aid to the credibility of the sport that is being sold. It is a fundamental step to reach a balance, with all due respect.
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