FIA race director Michael Masi lays down the law to Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, insisting the rules HAVE been ‘clear’ all season after the Red Bull star moaned that he ‘NEVER gets presents’ from F1’s governing body
- Michael Masi has insisted the rules have been ‘clear’ in Formula One this season
- The FIA have been cast under the spotlight over key decisions in recent weeks
- Max Verstappen was not punished for forcing Lewis Hamilton off track in Brazil
- The Red Bull star then said he ‘never gets presents’ after being punished in Qatar
FIA race director Michael Masi has insisted that the rules have been ‘clear’ all season in a defiant response to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s recent grumblings over a number of key decisions.
Formula One’s governing body has come under the spotlight over the past two races, with their decision not to punish the Red Bull star for forcing Hamilton off track in Brazil stirring debate among fans and pundits.
Hamilton hinted last week that he held a ‘different view’ to the FIA over the incident that saw him pushed well away from the track on lap 48 in Sao Paulo, while Verstappen said he gets ‘no presents’ from the body after being given a five-place grid penalty before the Qatar Grand Prix.
Michael Masi has insisted that the FIA’s stance has been ‘clear’ all season in Formula One
And Masi has stressed that the rules are ‘clear’ and that the FIA assess incidents on a case-by-case basis.
‘I think it’s been made clear to them what is expected,’ he said via The Sun.
‘I think some of them agree, some of them disagree. That’s always with each and every one of them, they have agreed and disagreed all the way through.
‘We’ve given them some overall guidance, but also been very clear on the fact that each and every case will be judged on its merits.’
The FIA has been cast under the spotlight following several key decisions in recent weeks
Their refusal to punish Max Verstappen for pushing Lewis Hamilton off track stirred debate
Verstappen holds an eight-point advantage over Hamilton with two races remaining, and with the margin for error razor-thin, the decisions taken by the FIA can have huge implications on the championship battle.
Masi has insisted that decisions are considered deeply and that he does not solely adjudicate on matters brought to the FIA’s attention.
‘We’re not more relaxed. We’re looking at each and every incident on its merits as we have done with each and every one
‘There is a panel of independent stewards, contrary to what many people think, I’m not the one sitting there as judge and jury.’
Verstappen said he ‘never gets presents’ from the FIA after being punished in Qatar last week
Masi (pictured) says that the FIA take their decisions on a case by case basis in a defiant stance
Tensions spilled over last weekend in Qatar, with Red Bull chief Christian Horner given an official warning by stewards after breaching the FIA’s Sporting Code.
Horner berated a ‘rogue marshal’ who waved a yellow flag at Verstappen and demanded that the FIA take control of their marshal team.
‘I’d like to make it clear that the marshals do a wonderful job,’ Horner told Sky Sports.
‘My frustration was not with the marshals but at the circumstance. If any offence was taken by any individual then I apologise for that.
‘It’s still frustrating to end up in the situation that we did, but it was a phenomenal recovery by Max and the team today.’