Verstappen doesn't support Masi removal: He's been 'thrown under the bus'

Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen believes Michael Masi shouldn't have been ousted as race director following an investigation into the results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"I think it's not correct," Verstappen said Thursday, according to Phillip Horton of Motorsport Week. "Everyone always tries to do the best job and everyone can always use help, us drivers also, we have a whole team behind us, to improve ourselves.

"For me, it is very unfair what happened to Michael because he’s really been thrown under the bus."

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile removed Masi last week in a restructuring that now prohibits radio communication between the teams and race director, which played a pivotal role in the F1 finale.

"Of course people talk a lot about what was decided in Abu Dhabi but can you imagine a referee in whatever sport has the coach or equivalent screaming in his ear all the time 'yellow card, red card, no decision, no foul,' it's impossible to make a decision," Verstappen added.

Verstappen won the F1 title in December after a controversial call by Masi forced a thrilling finish between the Red Bull star and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the final race of the 2021 season.

Masi allowed lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves while a safety car was on the course following radio complaints from Red Bull. The decision resulted in Verstappen being positioned right behind Hamilton, who'd established a wide gap on his rival before Nicholas Latifi crashed. The Dutchman ended up passing Hamilton on the final lap to win his first world championship.