Fernando Alonso risks wrath of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes with Abu Dhabi claim

02/22/2022

Fernando Alonso hopes Michael Masi's sacking as Formula 1 race director was not brought about as a result of his actions during last season's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The FIA announced last week that the Australian would be leaving his post as the furore over the way the title was decided last season rumbles on.

Lewis Hamilton led for most of the race, but a late safety car complicated things with just a few laps to go.

Thanks to decisions made by Masi, rival Max Verstappen was able to close right up behind the leader before Masi allowed the racing action to resume for the final lap – a move that was against the rules, in Mercedes' view.

Thanks to what turned out to be an inspired call from Red Bull to bring him in for a change of tyres without losing track position, Verstappen was able to easily overtake and won both the race and the title.

Under pressure to act from Mercedes, Hamilton and a section of fans, the FIA announced several changes for the upcoming season including Masi's replacement as race director.

Alonso, whose relationship with Hamilton was strained when they were team-mates at McLaren in 2007, doesn't believe there was anything wrong with the decisions Masi made in the heat of the moment.

But he did add that he has faith that new FIA chief Mohammed bin Sulayem knows what he is doing.

"I mean… the new president obviously wanted to make sure that everything was in place, as I said also a couple of times I like Mohammed, I like the approach he has," Alonso said during Alpine's car launch event.

"So if he thinks that we needed some new ideas there, it's for the good for everyone, so I'm happy with that.

"On the whole theme of Abu Dhabi, maybe I have a different opinion, I don't think that there was anything wrong there.

"I don't think that they changed it [the race control structure] because of Abu Dhabi, or I hope not."

Alonso's words come after Red Bull chief Christian Horner blasted the decision to remove Masi as race director.

"It's a difficult one. It's the FIA's business. I think it's harsh," he told TalkSPORT.

"I think that he was in a very difficult position last year. We felt a lot of decisions went against us last year."

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