Zak Brown charges F1 on Masi: an "autocracy" worthy of a pantomime "?

A standoff opposing for the moment, behind the scenes, the FIA and Mercedes, still in the continuation of the repercussions of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, and the management so criticized and criticized Michael Masi, the director of the FIA of the FIA.Mercedes would like the skin of Masi but also a overhaul of the rules in terms of safety car, and probably more widely;and the insurance that a world title will no longer be lost in such conditions.

The election of Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the head of the FIA gives an opportunity window to launch major reforms.But the questions should not be settled between Mercedes and the FIA ...

This is why in a column published on the McLaren site, Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, clearly put pressure on Mercedes and the FIA.The reform of the race management must not take place behind the scenes or on the sly, but in an open and collaborative manner.

Because the problem comes further for Zak Brown and in particular the "autocratic" management of F1: Bernie Ecclestone or even Jean Todt take it for their rank in passing, in this political position of the American.

"The election of Mohammed Ben Sulayem last December as new president of the FIA offers the opportunity of a collective reform of the operating mode of Formula 1.It is obvious to focus on the events of Abu Dhabi at the end of last season, which are the subject of a FIA investigation, but it was in my opinion a symptom rather thana cause.There have been systemic problems around alignment and clarity on which rules - the FIA or the teams - which have manifested themselves in the past two years, sometimes in a very publicized way.»»

"The signs of organizational difficulties were observed during the Australian Grand Prix 2020 and the Belgian Grand Prix of last year, both marked by an apparent lack of preparation for current events and temporary inertia on solutions.»»

"A greater clarity on the roles of the FIA and the F1 and the need for increased leadership of sport will undoubtedly be on the agenda for Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Stefano Domenicali and their respective teams.»»

"The previous administrations continued an essentially autocratic style of governance, so that to orient sport in the right direction, it was necessary to adopt a more advisory approach with the teams and the stakeholders.But now that sport has been successfully reset, it is necessary to return to stronger leadership and governance at the top of sport.»»

For Zak Brown, the demand is simple: FIA must listen to Mercedes less Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari and more the rest of the tray.

"It is clear that some of the rules and their governance are not acceptable in the current state of things.No one is satisfied with the inconsistency and inconstancy in the application of the regulations, but the teams are used to exploiting it to obtain a competitive advantage.»»

"I have already said that the teams have too much power and that it must be reduced.We play an important role in the development of regulations and the governance of Formula 1 and this influence is not always motivated by what is best for sport.»»

For Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, the way in which Mercedes and the FIA seem to manage at the moment the controversy linked to Masi, on the corner of the table in the shade, is revealing of the wrongs of the F1: why leave asideMcLaren and the other teams?Are we still in the 80s?

This is also an opportunity for Zak Brown to send teams, including Mercedes, to their responsibilities.

"Yes, the teams must be consulted, and their enlightened points of view must be taken into account, in particular on long -term strategic issues.But sometimes it seems that sport is governed by certain teams.Let us not forget that we, the teams, contributed to the inconsistencies in the application of regulations as much as anyone.These are the teams that put pressure to prevent at all costs from finishing the races under a safety car.These are the teams that voted for many of the regulations they complain.These are the teams that used the broadcast of radio messages to the race director to try to influence the penalties and the results of the race, to the point that a overexcited team director plays for the gallery and puts pressure on officialsracing.»»

"It was not edifying for F1.At times, it felt like we were witnessing a pantomime hearing rather than the peak of a world sport.»»

"I am convinced that the FIA and F1 will show increased leadership and that, collectively, as sports guards, we will focus on the evolution of sport and will not flee our responsibilities when it will beto make difficult decisions.»»

Comparison with pantomime is fashionable in F1: this is how Christian Horner qualified Toto Wolff at the end of last season.

It remains to be seen whether Mohammed Ben Sulayem will take over the requests and comparisons of Zak Brown.The political season of F1 is launched!