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Red Bull chief Horner slams ‘harsh’ decision to sack F1 race director Masi after Hamilton-Verstappen controversy

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RED BULL boss Christian Horner says sacked Formula One race director Michael Masi has been treated ‘harshly’.

Masi was stood down in the wake of his mid-race decision at December’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which helped Red Bull’s Max Verstappen pip Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton to the world title.

Friends say it has been a tough couple of months for now former F1 race director Michael MasiCredit: PA
Red Bull boss Christian Horner and their world champion driver Max Verstappen at the launch of the team’s new car in JanuaryCredit: AFP
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and their seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton were unhappy with how the 2021 season finishedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The sport’s governing body, the FIA, concluded Masi had not applied the rules properly in a late safety car period of the race, and have now introduced a new VAR supported structure for next season.

Horner told talkSPORT he feels Masi has been treated unfairly.

He said: “It’s a difficult one, and it’s the FIA’s business.

“I think it is harsh, I think he was in a very difficult position last year.

“We felt a lot of the decisions went against us last year.

“When you look at what he has at his disposal in terms of resource, compared to what the teams have, it’s such a massive difference.

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“It’s good to hear they are bringing in things like the VAR equivalent and one of the most experienced guys in Herbie Blash.

“I just think there was so much pressure put on the removal of Michael and that’s not right. That’s my personal feeling.”

Despite the chaotic conclusion to the season, Horner thinks Verstappen was a deserving champion for his performances over the whole season.

He added: “You have to look at the season over the 22 races. We had a lot of decisions go against us earlier in the year and penalties that weren’t awarded and so on.

“We got a little bit lucky at the end and sometimes that happens in sport, it’s not over until the whistle goes or the flag falls.”

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