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Christian Horner confirms Michael Masi received death threats over Hamilton-Verstappen title chaos as he slams F1 chiefs

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CHRISTIAN HORNER revealed Michael Masi and his family received death threats after he was accused of robbing Lewis Hamilton of his record-breaking eighth championship. 

The Red Bull boss slammed Formula One for hanging the former race director out to dry. 

Michael Masi received death threats after being accused of robbing Lewis Hamilton of a record titleCredit: Getty
Christian Horner has slammed F1 chiefs for axing Masi after last season’s controversial finaleCredit: Getty

Horner said: “The lack of support that was shown to Michael was disappointing, especially at a time when mental health is so prevalent. 

“To hear that his family and he received death threats is not right.

“An awful lot of pressure was put on the FIA to deal with him. 

“And I made it clear in last week’s meeting in London that there should have been more support for him. I was disappointed that nobody shared that opinion. 

“I have had an exchange with Michael to wish him well. But the whole experience was very, very tough for him.”

Horner’s comments come one day after defending champion Max Verstappen said Masi was thrown under the bus.

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Masi and his family were targeted after his controversial handling of the season-defining race in Abu Dhabi.  

Horner believes Verstappen’s first title hasn’t been tarnished by the controversy in Abu Dhabi. 

He said: “In the UK media a lot has been made of it because Lewis is obviously a British driver, but I really don’t think so.

“Max was the outstanding driver last year. He had bad luck and things didn’t always go his way, too. 

“It is too easy to get hung up on one event, and so much has been written about the safety car in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton was always going to be exposed at a restart

Christian Horner

“But, again, tactically as a team we made the right choices. Mercedes left Lewis out on a 44-lap old set of tyres and he was always going to be exposed at a restart. 

“There was no gift for Max either. Lewis didn’t expect him to overtake where he did. 

“When Max threw it down the inside into the hairpin, you could see it caught Lewis completely unawares. He left the door open.”

Meanwhile, Formula One chiefs have SCRAPPED the Russian Grand Prix.

The sport was under immense pressure to strip the race from their calendar after Russia invaded Ukraine. 

The race was set to take place at the Sochi Autodrom on September 25.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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