Masi explains “very rare” communication with Wolff in F1 broadcast first

On Lap 26, a frustrated radio message from Wolff to race control was broadcast as the Austrian claimed Haas rookie Mazepin was ignoring blue flags and subsequently holding up Lewis Hamilton.

“Michael, blue flags,” Wolff said. “Michael, this guy makes us lose the position.”

While teams do have the capability to directly contact race control during races, Masi said he “very rarely” hears from Wolff.

Masi explained that F1 and the FIA have been working for some time to broadcast communications between the teams and race control, with the new feature debuting in Barcelona.

“It actually came about through a discussion at an F1 Commission meeting last year,” Masi said.

“So they [viewers] could hear as part of the broadcast the communications between the FIA and the teams, which is a regular part of what we do operationally. Yesterday was the first time that it started [being available to broadcast].”

The teams were told during the weekend that their messages to race control may be broadcast live by F1.

“So the F1 Group, through their broadcasts, have been doing some trials in the background, have seen what that looks like,” Masi added.

“And all the teams were advised and this weekend’s the first time it’s gone live to air.”

Despite appearing to be held up behind Mazepin, Hamilton eventually triumphed in Barcelona.

Helped by a bold Mercedes strategy call, the seven-time world champion overturned a 23-second deficit in just 18 laps before overtaking Verstappen six laps from the end.

It marked Hamilton’s third victory from the opening four races this season and extends his advantage at the top of the championship to 14 points over the Red Bull driver.