Wolff launches stinging attack on 'disrespectful liability' Masi

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has launched a stinging attack on former FIA race director Michael Masi, accusing him of being "a liability" and "disrespectful" to the F1 drivers.

It is now four months since Lewis Hamilton lost last year's drivers' title in contentious circumstances to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi due to decisions made by Masi.

The Australian has since been removed from his position and replaced by Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich who are sharing the role between them across the 23 races this year.

The duo have already made waves with a clampdown on on-track indiscretions, as well as adhering to the letter of the law with regard to such matters as jewellery and non-fire retardent underwear.

The subject of Masi, however, is one that clearly continues to rankle with Wolff given his latest comments in an interview with the PA news agency.

Referring to the events leading up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wolff said: "It is quite interesting because I had lunch with him [Masi] on the Wednesday before the race.

"I said to him that 'I really want to tell you, without patronising you, that you need to take criticism on board and develop from there. Lewis does it every day, but you are a guy who always seems to know better'.

"It wasn't about influencing him but really giving my honest feedback that he shouldn't block outside opinion as simply being wrong.

"You hear from the drivers and how the drivers' briefings were conducted [by Masi] and some of the guys said it was almost disrespectful how he treated some of them.

"He was just immune to any feedback and even today he has not properly reflected that he did something wrong."

Wolff concluded: "He was a liability for the sport because everybody kept talking about Abu Dhabi and the race director.

"The race director should not be somebody that people talk about, but someone who does the job and makes sure the race is run according to the regulations."

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