F1 theory emerges that Masi let Verstappen have last-lap chance to beat Hamilton for Netflix ‘Drive to Survive’ finale

F1 RACE DIRECTOR Michael Masi is under fire after his controversial decision enabled Max Verstappen to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the world title.

Masi was responsible for deciding how the safety car would be deployed towards the end of the race and he allowed it to pull off the track with one lap remaining.

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FIA director Michael Masi is under fire from F1 fans[/caption]

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Max Verstappen was presented with the controversial chance to win the F1 title after the safety car ended[/caption]

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Lewis Hamilton led for the entirety of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix until the last lap[/caption]

But even more controversially he allowed the lapped cars to overtake Lewis Hamilton, putting Verstappen into second.

Except after the restart the Dutchman’s margin to race leader Hamilton was wiped out.

And having pitted to put on fresh, soft tyres, Verstappen was left with a major advantage over Hamilton.

The fact Masi allowed that to happen has enraged many F1 fans with some claiming the decision was made to create more drama.

The climactic last race grabbed the attention of potential new fans, with a peak TV audience of 7.4 million people watching Verstappen win the F1 title on Channel 4.

Channel 4 chief content officer Ian Katz said: “Though many British F1 fans will be disappointed by the result, it’s fantastic that Channel 4 was able to bring this nail-biting finale to the 2021 F1 Season to 4.4 million viewers free to air and, in partnership with Sky, to an incredible peak audience of 7.4m.

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“Following on from the return of Test cricket to free-to-air television, a remarkable Paralympics and Emma Raducanu’s triumph, it was a fittingly-dramatic end to an extraordinary year of sport on Channel 4.”

Some fans also referenced Netflix’s ‘Drive To Survive’ in their criticisms, suggesting Masi took the ending he did to reach the most dramatic conclusion of a season to remember.

Host of the US satire programme ‘The Daily Show’ Trevor Noah even got involved in the online debate.

He tweeted: “Terrible result for Lewis (Hamilton) but great result for F1.

“Championship decided on the final race, everyone arguing about the rules online and a dramatic ending for the next season of Drive to Survive.

‘Better to be a controversial sport than a boring one.”

Another F1 fan added: “Sack Michael Masi immediately, the FIA just fixed a race and threw away the rule book so it’d make a good Drive to Survive episode. ABSOLUTE CLOWNS.

And a third said: “Formula 1 has become the WWE of motorsports.

“Max Verstappen is the new John Cena and Masi is Vince Macman. The race is scripted and it starting to feel like Drive to survive in real life.

“Mercedes should leave F1 and focus on Formule E. Lewis was robbed.”