Ex-Steward Sullivan: Masi 'Gifted' 2021 Title to Verstappen

Danny Sullivan, a former Formula 1 driver and steward during the controversial 2021 season, has claimed that race director Michael Masi effectively "gifted" the world championship to Max Verstappen. Sullivan asserts that the decision to restart the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with only five cars unlapped fundamentally altered the outcome of the title fight.

Why it matters:

The 2021 season finale remains the most debated finish in modern F1 history. Having a steward from that specific season validate the criticism against Masi reinforces the narrative that the Sporting Regulations were manipulated for the sake of a show finish, overshadowing what had been a tense season-long battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

The details:

• Pressure Cooker: Sullivan revealed that Masi was under immense pressure from teams to avoid finishing the race under a yellow flag, which led to the unprecedented call to unlap cars.
• Rule Interpretation: According to the steward, the regulations required either all lapped cars to unlap or none. Unlapping the entire field would have consumed too much time, preventing a restart and securing the title for Hamilton.
• Tire Disparity: By selectively unlapping just five cars, Masi positioned Verstappen, on fresh soft tires, directly behind Hamilton, who was struggling on 43-lap old hard tires.
• Inevitable Outcome: Sullivan stated that given the massive performance difference in rubber, "there was nothing else that could happen except that he would pass him," concluding that the director's intervention decided the championship.

Between the lines:

While Sullivan stands by his critique of the procedure, he offered a nuanced perspective on the human element. He defended Masi against personal attacks, noting the relentless pressure officials face, and clarified that his criticism is directed at the decision-making process, not Verstappen, whom he describes as a deserving fan favorite.