Michael Masi: “It was impossible to postpone the race”

Delayed by torrential downpours then reduced to two laps behind the Safety Car, the Belgian Grand Prix awarded only half points to the top ten, despite Michael Masi's various attempts to start the race. “We have seized all the solutions available in the regulations, in the provisions of the international sporting code… to give us the best opportunity to be able to finish a race. Unfortunately we weren't able to complete the full distance that was available but with the provisions and the ISC [international sporting code] stopping the clock was what we tried to do to see if we could get into a weather window », declared the FIA ​​race director.

“It’s been a long day.” for the Australian. We actually had the worst weather today, the conditions weren't great all weekend, but we had times to ride. Today (Sunday), I think the weather got the better of us a little. » Masi also spoke about the laps completed behind the Safety Car at the end of the afternoon. “It was to see what the conditions were.”, confided the person concerned. “We are in constant contact with our official weather provider and there was a window where it seemed possible, we have an obligation to give everyone a 10 minute warning, so it was like “Okay, let’s try and see if we can find this window.” and a number of teams have said the same thing. Shes saw this window and could see exactly what we were trying to do to find this weather window, and then the weather came and got the better of us again. »

Michael Masi also spoke about the impossibility of postponing the event: “It It was not possible to postpone the race until the next day. So, obviously from the point of view of the FIA ​​and jointly with the Formula 1, safety is essential for drivers, teams and all spectators. »