FIA: Public hostility has hit Massey hard

FIA Secretary-General Peter Beyer admitted F1 could have a new race director this year, saying the public's "hostility" towards Michael Massy had hit Australians hard.

A few days before the start of the 2019 F1 season, Charlie Whiting passed away and Massy was appointed director of the CIAO affairs. The Australian went relatively unnoticed for the first two years of the job, but in 2021 he made more headlines than the drivers.

For the first time in history, Massey allowed only the snare cars between title contenders to be unsealed, prompting the FIA to investigate the decision. Beyer acknowledged that the investigation could lead to a new race director at this year's season opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Although the FIA was quick to insist that no decision had been made, Beyer believes Massey was hit hard by last year's criticism.

Beyer said: "As a referee, you rarely get any sympathy, what is unbearable is the reaction on social media, like the death threats you see williams driver Latifi receiving, these reactions are endless. Michael didn't have a social account, but hostility from other channels did hit him. In our conversation, I assured him of the support of the association and let him know: We want to continue to cooperate with you, but I also need your understanding that we are investigating this issue. ”

Massey not only has to deal with pressure on social media, but also the team leaders during the Grand Prix. In the season finale, both Mercedes and Red Bull are fighting for a decision in Marcy's favor.

Beyer said he supported F1 general manager Ross Brown's call to prevent the team from contacting the track control department.

"Team leaders will no longer be able to intervene through this channel, where the race director can focus on his task and no longer be distracted," Beyer said. ”