Villeneuve calls for Masi to remain after doing "everything right"

Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has insisted FIA race director Michael Masi should remain in his role.

Masi's position has been placed under a spotlight since the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where Max Verstappen took his maiden championship after taking advantage of a late safety car period.

The procedures taken by Masi during the intervention has led Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and driver Lewis Hamilton to 'disillusionment', with the FIA launching an inquiry into the events at Yas Marina.

Despite the pressure places on the Australian, 1997 champion Villeneuve believes Masi executed his job well under the circumstances.

"Michael Masi should not be removed," Villeneuve told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He worked under pressure with the two team principals, in particular, Toto Wolff, who in the last 5 races, continued to scream in his ears.

"He did almost everything right after that safety car. The only drawback is that he could [have let] everyone [unlap themselves] a lap earlier, but it was right to restart the race.

"If anything, we now need more precise rules and maybe permanent stewards. The alternative is to allow everything by letting, after accidents, the drivers punch each other like in America".

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