Ted Kravitz launched an attack on former race director Michael Masi for showing his face in the Formula 1 paddock this weekend.
Masi was in charge of the sport up until the end of the 2021 season. He was removed from his role by the FIA after the Abu Dhabi season finale, in which his botched handling of a safety car period played a significant role in changing the outcome of the championship.
Lewis Hamilton was leading the race but Masi sped up the process to ensure that the championship was decided under racing conditions. Max Verstappen had new soft tyres and made light work of moving past the Brit to secure the title.
After being axed as race director, Masi left the FIA and returned home to Australia. He is now chairman of the Supercars Commission and turned up in Melbourne this weekend, with Supercars part of the Australian Grand Prix billing.
On Thursday, asked if he plans to speak with Masi, Hamilton made it clear he has no interest in having a conversation. He replied: "I don't. I am just focused on my future. I am focused on trying to get back to winning. There is nothing to say."
But Sky Sports pit lane reporter Kravitz found it more difficult to bite his tongue. Speaking on his Ted's Notebook programme after qualifying on Saturday, he took aim at Masi for showing up in the F1 paddock, suggesting he had no business being there.
Kravitz said: "Michael Masi, the ex-FIA race director, has been in the paddock for the first time since that fateful day in December 2021. And he's been saying hello to drivers – he hasn't been saying hello to Mercedes people.
"I don't really... well, I do want to get into it, you know I do. But I won't. What's he doing in Australia? He's in charge of the V8 Supercars, the Australian Touring Cars now. But what's he doing coming back into the Formula 1 paddock?
"There are some rumours that Formula 1 want him back because Niels Wittich needs some help on the FIA race direction side. But that's not going to happen. What's Michael Masi doing in the paddock?"
