Mercedes have made a final decision to not proceed down the legal route regarding Max Verstappen’s controversial title win.
Lewis Hamilton was denied a record eighth F1 world title last December courtesy of decisions made by now former FIA race director Michael Masi.
The move to relieve the Aussie of his duties seems to indicate the sport’s governing body believes what transpired in the final stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year was unjust.
After a two-month deliberation process, new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the news of the Masi’s sacking on Thursday.
However, although he is no longer race director, the 44-year-old is still set to play some role in the sport.
"Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternatively as Race Director, assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior advisor,” Ben Sulayem said in a statement.
"Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as Formula 1 race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA.”
The silver arrows were due to contest Masi’s decisions and ultimately Max Verstappen’s title reign in court, but were persuaded not to do so by Hamilton.
Although bitterly disappointed with how the 2021 title decider played out, the seven-time champion did not want the saga to drag and be settled off the track.
A Mercedes spokesperson reinforced that statement and accepted the FIA conducting their own investigations.
They told Sportsmail : 'We accepted and acknowledged the championship result in our statement on 16 December.
“Since then, the FIA has conducted its own analysis in consultation with teams and drivers (including us) and reached its conclusions, which they have presented today.”
Also in his statement, Ben Sulayem outlined further plans for structural changes in F1.
“Firstly, to assist the race director in the decision-making process, a Virtual Race Control Room will be created," he announced.
"Alike the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) in football, it will be positioned in one of the FIA Offices as a backup outside the circuit.
“In real-time connection with the FIA F1 race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools.
“Secondly, direct radio communications during the race, currently broadcast live by all TVs, will be removed in order to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully.
“It will still be possible to ask questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process.
“Thirdly, unlapping procedures behind safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season.”
Mercedes will no doubt be delighted with the news and they are due to launch their new W13 F1 car today.
