Masi 'new' audio "not pretty for F1" and "hugely unacceptable" - Martin Brundle

Formula 1

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Masi 'new' audio "not pretty for F1" and "hugely unacceptable" - Brundle

The audio has gained traction in recent days

Ewan Gale

Thursday 10 February 2022 10:25

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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.

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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."