Formula 1 fans have still not forgotten the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a race in which Lewis Hamilton lost the title to Max Verstappen in arguably the harshest of fashions. Even though a certain section of the fans still have a painful memory of the race, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is reportedly planning on making yet another controversial decision. He is planning to bring back Michael Masi, the man who made the “human error” during the race in Abu Dhabi.
The frustrations were so high for Hamilton and Mercedes after the race that they even planned to go to court to object against Masi’s decision. Amid the increasing pressure, the FIA decided to remove Masi from his position as race director following an internal investigation. Despite the same, Ben Sulayem, who is tired of apologizing for the event, has suggested that he could bring Masi back to F1.
On the Eve of the Abu Dhabi GP, one of the most controversial decisions in F1 History. Max Verstappen wins his first World Championship by passing Lewis Hamilton on the final lap in the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. #F1 #F1History #AbuDhabiGP
pic.twitter.com/yZ70xCieQL— F1 History (@TodayF1History) November 25, 2023
Ben Sulayem said as per The Independent, “The poor guy is a person who has been attacked and abused. Michael Masi went through hell. Hell! And if I see there is an opportunity that the FIA needs and Michael Masi is the right person, I will bring him.”
How did Lewis Hamilton react after losing the title in 2021?
There was nobody more hurt than Lewis Hamilton after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion was just a lap away from scripting history. The loss hurt the Briton so badly that he even had to reevaluate his relationship with the sport.
BREAKING: The FIA have confirmed that ‘human error’ was a factor in the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP title controversy, but say race director Michael Masi acted in ‘good faith’ and that the results from the race and championship are ‘valid’. pic.twitter.com/g945keMliC
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 19, 2022
There were reports about Hamilton leaving the sport after 2021 as he went quiet for months. The Mercedes driver was absolutely untraceable.
He opened up about this with ESPN in 2022 where he said, “I think a lot of people underestimate what it takes to be a world champion and there are so many moving parts. It is not just turning up and driving the car.”
