On Wednesday, radio messages between Formula One race director Michael Masi and Red Bull was widely shared on social media. The audio captured interaction between Masi and Red Bull at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last race of the year. The race, which Red Bull won, has been regarded as controversial due to the manner in which Red Bull won. Mercedes, through Lewis Hamilton, had the lead with just two laps to go. The race was stopped for a brief moment and when it restarted, Verstappen, who had fresh tyres, was able to take the lead and win the race.

In the radio messages, Red Bull’s sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, can be heard talking to Masi about the lapped cars: “Those lapped cars; you don’t need to let them go right the way around and catch up with the back of the pack. You only need to let them go, and then we’ve got a motor race on our hands.”

Masi replied, “Understood.”

After the race, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff tells Masi what he has done is “not right”. Masi replies: “Toto, it’s called a motor race, OK?”

Since the radio messages surfaced last hear December, many have questioned Masi’s action and it has been said that he had a hand in the outcome of the race, with some quarters even saying that he helped Red Bull win. Whether or not that is true, what many seem to agree on is that he did not follow the rules correctly on that day.

Reacting to the recent furore, the FIA said, “FIA said: “We are aware of this and it is part of the investigation.” They are expected to release the report of their findings next week Monday.

While Masi still retains his position as director, it is expected that the FIA would introduce new changes in the way races are managed this season, to prevent a repeat of what happened in Abu Dhabi.

Written by: Leon Osamor