Masi 'new' audio "not pretty for F1" and "hugely unacceptable" - Brundle
Masi 'new' audio "not pretty for F1" and "hugely unacceptable" - Brundle
Former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes the traction gained by 'new' audio from the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ending is "uncomfortable" and "not pretty" for F1.
Brundle also stated the events were "hugely unacceptable" as pressure on FIA race director Michael Masi has been ramped up again following the circulation of a video clip online.
Although captioned as being a 'new' clip, the audio has been publicly available since the race and has been on F1's YouTube channel since December 16, yet the traction gained in recent days has brought attention back to the FIA's inquiry.
In the audio, Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley says: "Obviously, those lapped cars, you don't have to let them go all the way back around to the back of the pack, you just have to let them go and we have a motor race on our hands."
The fact Masi then replies to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff's complaints with the "it is called a motor race" quip has drawn ire from the fanbase on Twitter especially.
Addressing the clip on Sky Sports News, Brundle explained: "It is not new news and also, you have to understand that it isn't telling Michael Masi something he doesn't already know.
"For example, on a wet day in Spa, you don't let the cars go around and catch the pack.
"It is something I would have said on the day and many times before, it takes too long, takes too long out of the race if you let them find their way, especially if there is still an incident on track when you release the cars.
"At Monaco, you might catch the back of the pack or whatever. Let's not assume it is giving Masi the information on what he could and couldn't do with the lapped pack.
"Of course it is really uncomfortable, a lot of people unhappy and Hamilton fans and Mercedes fans and...
"You don't even have to be a Lewis Hamilton fan to think that, forever, he should be an eight-time world champion because, for me, the really crucial regulation that wasn't carried out was the safety car should have come in at the end of the following lap
"We also know that unwritten rules and hidden meetings that shouldn't supersede anything were 'let's not finish the race under the safety car' is hugely unacceptable."
Regarding the perspective of F1 fans, Brundle added: "I have met so many fans that were new to F1 last year particularly and in general that were hugely upset by what happened.
"We cannot have teams getting at the referee whilst he is trying to make critical decisions with cars on the track and marshals and breakdown vehicles and the car was on fire at one point.
'He is trying to manage that and he is getting lobbied left right and centre. You can imagine that on a football ground or rugby ground.
"It is not pretty for F1 at all but I don't think this particular video doesn't change this uncomfortable narrative."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 star given CRUDE x-rated gift at Chinese GP
- 39 minutes ago
Ricciardo gives VITAL life advice with F1 twist
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton gains HUGE win over Verstappen at unusual venue
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton WARNED by Ferrari chief over performance levels
- 3 hours ago
Driver suggests Newey tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
- 3 hours ago
F1 champion questions ‘value’ of Verstappen’s titles
- Today 19:00
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
-
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
Max Verstappen
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
- GP CANADA 7 - 9 Jun
Related news
Ecclestone's wife signs letter of SUPPORT for under-fire FIA president
Hamilton hits out at F1 rule change after session wrecked
FIA president backed as key parties threaten 'legal action'
F1 star takes swipe at FIA after being hit with controversial penalty
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860