LEWIS HAMILTON said he will not speak to Michael Masi – the sacked Formula One race director – because “there is nothing to say”.
Michael Masi will make his first return to the Formula 1 paddock at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
Masi’s presence at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix could evoke bad memories for Hamilton
Verstappen controversially overtook Hamilton to win the dramatic title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
According to The Mail, the seven-time world champion will refuse the opportunity to receive an explanation from Masi for his mishandling of the 2021 season decider.
Masi was the man in charge when Hamilton and Max Verstappen took their fight for the 2021 world title to the last race of the season.
The Mercedes driver looked to be cruising towards Championship number eight until Nicholas Latifi’s crash brought out a safety car.
In an astonishing turn of events, Masi appeared to incorrectly interpret the regulations regarding a safety car restart.
One swift decision wiped out Hamilton’s lead as the group of lapped drivers between him and Verstappen was ordered to pass through.
When the safety car was pulled in with one lap remaining, Verstappen overtook Hamilton on fresher tyres to seal his maiden title.
The subsequent FIA report blamed “human error”, but did not alter the result.
The investigation also saw the race director relieved of his duties, and he has been absent from F1 race weekends ever since.
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Masi left the FIA last summer before moving home to Australia and being appointed chairman of the V8 Supercars Commission.
When asked by reporters whether he would seek out an explanation from Masi, Hamilton replied: “I don’t [plan to]. I am just focused on my future. I am focused on trying to get back to winning. There is nothing to say”.
The 38-year-old is facing up to the prospect of another challenging year, with his Mercedes unable to compete against Verstappen’s superior Red Bull.
Hamilton finished fifth in the opening two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
