The first ever Miami Grand Prix has been thrown into chaos after F1's two new race directors tested positive for Covid.
Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas have shared the role in 2022, having replaced the sacked Michael Masi at the start of the season. Thus far, they have overseen eventful races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Imola.
However, both race directors are now doubtful to be in America ahead of the next 2022 Grand Prix weekend from May 6-8. Last October, organisers confirmed an expanded 23-race schedule, with the Miami event appearing on the calendar for the fist time.
Last month, the race appeared in danger of being cancelled after Florida residents submitted a lawsuit. Miami Gardens residents argued the noise produced by the race would “cause severe disruption and physical harm to Miami Gardens residents.”
And now organisers have been dealt another blow. If neither Wittich or Freitas test negative in time to fly to the USA, then a contingency plan will need to be drawn up.
According to the Daily Mail , an F1 source has spoke of a potential crisis by saying: "The FIA are totally lost as to what to do. Drivers' lives are on the line and they don't seem to have a structure in place for the possibility that neither official is negative in time to fly."
Indeed, the last thing the FIA need is ambiguity over their race directors following the dubious departure of Masi. The Australian was central to the controversy which plagued last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the world title.
However, it was the Mercedes man in control of the race until a safety car was deployed late on following a crash by Williams driver Nicholas Latifi, which hugely benefitted Red Bull and their star man Verstappen.
Masi's actions gifted Verstappen the chance to overtake Hamilton on the final lap, and led to stinging criticism from Mercedes. The Silver Arrows launched two protests over what transpired, but both were dismissed.
Toto Wolff's team then later dropped their notice of intent to appeal, but only after the FIA agreed into a full-scale investigation into what happened at the Yas Marina. The findings were announced on the eve of the new campaign, with Masi's dismissal confirmed.
Organisers opted to replace him with two figures, in a bid to prevent the race director being isolated and verbally challenged by team bosses. Both Horner and Wolff arguing with Masi became a regular feature of the 2021 campaign.
Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc leads the way at the top of the standings but it's Verstappen who has the momentum following his victory in Imola.
