Berger defends Masi: 'That decision wasn't to help anyone'

F1 News

18 December 2021 at 19:18
Last update 18 December 2021 at 21:59
  • GPblog.com

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has praised Michael Masi for the decisions he made at the end of the race in Abu Dhabi. On ServusTV, the Austrian has stood up for the race director.

Mercedes felt the decisions were against the rules and even appealed twice. The team eventually decided not to take the matter to court, although they are still angry. The FIA have launched an investigation into the final laps of the race.

Berger has defended Masi despite all the criticism he's received, and thinks the race had an exciting finish. "He has a pragmatic approach and tries to find solutions, but I don't think he's doing anything that's not allowed."

Best choice for the fans

The Austrian points to the rule that the race director can decide to do things differently than stated in the regulations. "He made a different decision, but not to help anyone, but to give the fans a sportingly one last lap to decide the fight."

According to the former driver, Masi handled the situation well, despite the bad luck for Lewis Hamilton, who had no chance to keep Verstappen behind him due to his old tyres. "For the fans, that's the right thing to do and he gets to do it", Berger concluded.