UNDER-FIRE race director Michael Masi appeared to break precedent with HIMSELF in his controversial safety car call at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Initially Masi indicated no cars would be allowed to unlap themselves before the safety car was pulled in and racing allowed to recommence. The Australian then stunningly changed his mind – but only allowed the cars between Verstappen and Hamilton to unlap themselves. The chief steward back then was confronted with a similar safety-car conundrum – and this time he allowed ALL lapped cars to go past. When Masi was criticised for not allowing racing to resume quickly, he defended himself and said: “There’s a requirement in the sporting regulations to wave all the lapped cars past.”. Instead he allowed some but not all cars through – giving Verstappen room to attack Hamilton without nuisances in front of him.

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