03 April 2023 , 21:10
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David Croft reminded his colleague Ted Kravitz to show empathy towards Michael Masi after the pit lane reporter's scathing criticism of the former Formula 1 race director.
Masi was relieved of that position after the conclusion of the 2021 season. The FIA concluded that his "human error" had played a part in changing the outcome of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which resulted in Lewis Hamilton losing out on the title to Max Verstappen on the final lap.
He later left the FIA to return to his native Australia, and took on the role of chairman of the Supercars Commission. That championship was part of the F1 race weekend in Melbourne, which led to Masi's first visit to the paddock since his departure as race director.
That did not go down well with Kravitz. Speaking on his usual Ted's Notebook programme after qualifying on Saturday, he questioned why the 44-year-old had shown his face among the F1 garages.
"Michael Masi, the ex-FIA race director, has been in the paddock for the first time since that fateful day in December 2021," said the Sky Sports reporter. "And he's been saying hello to drivers – he hasn't been saying hello to Mercedes people.
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"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?
Ted Kravitz tore into Michael Masi for appearing at the Australian GP (Sky Sports)"There are some rumours that Formula 1 want him back because [current race director] 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?"
The subject of Masi's presence in Melbourne came up again, during the race itself. Kravitz mentioned the former F1 race director's name during an on-air conversation with Sky's lead commentator Croft, who appeared to make a point of encouraging some empathy from his colleague.
He said: "No matter what your allegiances where in 2021, you have to remember he's still a human being." That was the end of their conversation on that subject and Masi's name was not mentioned again on air.