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FIA steward claims Michael Masi ‘gifted’ Max Verstappen the 2021 F1 title: explosive revelations

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 17, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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FIA steward claims Michael Masi ‘gifted’ Max Verstappen the 2021 F1 title: explosive revelations

Title: Shocking Claims: Did Michael Masi Hand the 2021 F1 Championship to Max Verstappen?

In a bombshell revelation that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, a former FIA steward has accused ex-race director Michael Masi of effectively “gifting” the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship to Max Verstappen. This explosive assertion shines a glaring light on the controversial events of the season finale held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where tensions reached a boiling point between the Dutch driver and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

As the drama unfolded, both drivers entered the final race of the season tied on points—a rarity that had fans on the edge of their seats. Hamilton commanded a strong lead throughout the race, but a late safety car threw the championship into chaos. In a bold gamble, Red Bull and Verstappen opted to change tires, a decision that would prove pivotal. However, the fate of the race turned on Masi’s controversial decision to allow some lapped cars to unlap themselves while leaving others stranded, placing Verstappen directly behind Hamilton on fresh tires.

Danny Sullivan, who served as an FIA steward during other races that season but not in Abu Dhabi, voiced his outrage on the Epartrade YouTube channel. He stated bluntly, “Masi basically gifted him the world championship on that decision.” Sullivan elaborated, explaining that Masi was under immense pressure to avoid finishing under caution. “People were yelling at him that they didn’t want to finish under yellow because it didn’t look good,” Sullivan recounted. “That’s why he waved by five cars, which basically gave Max a shot.” According to him, if all lapped cars had been allowed to unlap, the race would have concluded under yellow flags, a scenario that would have denied Verstappen the opportunity to capitalize on his fresh tires.

Critically, Sullivan pointed out the stark contrast in tire conditions. Hamilton’s tires had endured 44 laps, while Verstappen was gripped with qualifying tires, poised for an overtaking maneuver that seemed almost inevitable. “There was not a chance in hell that he wasn’t going to pass him at that stage,” Sullivan remarked, underscoring the significant advantage given to Verstappen.

The fallout from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was swift and severe—Masi was ousted from his position shortly after the race. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff did not hold back, labeling him a “lunatic” in his post-race analysis. Regrettably for Hamilton, the controversy did little to alleviate his disappointment; he remains stuck at seven titles, unable to secure a record eighth championship.

Since that fateful race, Hamilton’s performance has waned, with only two grand prix wins over the past four seasons, revealing a stark contrast to his once-dominant form. Meanwhile, Sullivan, while critical of Masi’s decisions, attempted to defend the former race director, acknowledging the relentless pressure faced by officials during an exhausting season. “To be fair to Michael, he’s 23 races into the season. These guys are travelling non-stop, they’re being beat up all the time by teams, everybody, there’s all kinds of controversy,” he said, attempting to paint a picture of the challenging environment Masi was in.

As debates rage on about the implications of the Abu Dhabi race, one thing is clear: the shadows of controversy loom large over the 2021 F1 season, and the questions surrounding Masi’s decisions will continue to ignite passionate discussions among fans and pundits alike. Will the truth ever fully emerge, or will this chapter of F1 history remain shrouded in ambiguity? Only time will tell.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-world-championshipjamarr-chases-mercedes-maybachLewis Hamiltonmax-verstappen-en
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