F1 Gossip: Horner defends Masi, calls sacking “harsh”

In the latest Formula 1 gossip column, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has called the FIA’s decision to sack Michael Masi “harsh”, while Valtteri Bottas doesn’t believe any other driver can beat Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Connor McDonagh

22 Feb 2022

F1 Gossip: Horner defends Masi, calls sacking “harsh”

- Red Bull boss Christian Horner has expressed sympathy for ex-FIA race director Michael Masi after he was dropped for this season.

Horner told TalkSport: “It’s a difficult one. It’s the FIA’s business. I think it is harsh, I think he was in a very difficult position last year. We felt a lot of the decisions went against us last year.

“When you look at what he has at his disposal in terms of resource, compared to what the teams have, it’s such a massive difference. It’s good to hear they are bringing in things like the VAR equivalent and one of the most experienced guys in Herbie Blash

“I just think there was so much pressure put on the removal of Michael and that’s not right. That’s my personal feeling.”

- Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas doesn’t see anyone beating Lewis Hamilton in the same machinery as George Russell takes on the seven-time F1 champion this season.

He told The Sun: “I don’t see anyone else beating Lewis in the near future in the same machinery. George will adjust well because he has been with Mercedes for some years.

“But beating Lewis is not easy. I have experienced that. It is his consistency in his performances. Every driver has form that is a little bit up and down, but his baseline for performance is just so high. Even when he has a bad day it is not too bad. It is his consistency over the season.

“Another of his key strengths is his ability to adapt to different conditions, the skill to react to changes, be it set-up or whatever. This and his race-craft. His tyre management is a special skill and all these things are combined with talent.

“And he puts in the work, which not many people see, so he is hard to beat. I can be proud that on my day, I’ve been able to beat him. But not consistently enough to beat him over a season.”

- Alpine could be open to helping Andretti should the American team decide to enter F1 in 2024. (Racer)

- F1 is considering a return to three days of testing for 2023. (SoyMotor)

- Alfa Romeo has teased an upcoming announcement