FIA President on Abu Dhabi ’21: “And the 1966 World Championship wasn’t right, but they didn’t change the result.”

In the scandalous final race of the 2021 Formula 1 Championship in Abu Dhabi, then FIA race director Michael Massi’s controversial decisions on timing and safety car protocol allowed Max Verstappen to win the title at the expense of Lewis Hamilton.

In the winter after the events in Abu Dhabi, Massi lost his position as race director and subsequently his job at the FIA. Toto Wolff, director of Mercedes, is still angry with the 45-year-old Australian: last three days, in his team’s battle with Ferrari, also in Abu Dhabi, for second place among the manufacturers, he said this “This time we have a real race director.”

Massi’s dismissal as Formula 1 GP race director came just days before Mohamed Ben Sulayem took over as head of the FIA ​​following the association elections in December 2021. But even in his day, the FIA ​​never publicly criticized Massi, despite Lewis Hamilton’s hordes leading him. Fans are still in an uproar considering the Australian deprived the Brit of his record eighth title.

“I always apologize, but I can’t apologize for something that happened before my time. said Ben Sulaghem in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian. “OK, I’ll apologize, but I’ll also bring back Michael Massey. Do you think that is correct?

poor [ο Μάσι] He is a man who has been attacked and insulted. Michael Massey has been through hell. When I see this, there is a possibility that FIA needs him and Michael Massey is the right man, I will get him back.added the FIA ​​President.

After the 2021 Abu Dhabi events, Masi admitted that he sought psychological help to cope with the crowds and anger of the attacks he faced. However, Mohammed bin Sulayem himself received similar attacks, claiming he had the power to change the outcome of the game in Abu Dhabi but failed to do so.

“There were even people who threatened to kill me.” said the FIA ​​President. “Because I had the power to change it. But I said to them: “Sorry, the 1966 World Cup, England versus Germany, was that right?” Did they change it? NO’. Did they give the cup to Germany? NO”.