Guenther Steiner, the former team principal of Haas, has stirred up conversation with his assertion that Lewis Hamilton would be an eight-time Formula 1 world champion today if Michael Masi hadn’t been the race director during the 2021 season. According to Steiner, the controversial decisions made by Masi, especially during the final race of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi, were instrumental in determining the outcome of the championship in Max Verstappen’s favor. He believes that had the late Charlie Whiting still been the race director, the title battle would have played out differently, potentially securing Hamilton’s eighth title.
The 2021 Formula 1 season has become notorious for its drama, both on and off the track, especially in the fierce rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen. Their on-track battles reached a boiling point throughout the season, but it was the decisions made behind the scenes, particularly by Michael Masi, that captured the most attention. Masi, who was the race director at the time, found himself at the center of several controversial calls, some of which significantly impacted the title race.
One of the most pivotal moments of the season came during the final race in Abu Dhabi. With only one lap remaining, Masi made the controversial decision to restart the race, setting up a direct, one-lap showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen. The circumstances surrounding this decision were murky at best, leading many fans, analysts, and insiders to question its legitimacy. Verstappen overtook Hamilton during that final lap, securing his first world championship. This sparked a massive uproar within the sport, as many believed the decision unfairly tilted the scales in Verstappen’s favor.
In his book *Unfiltered*, Steiner reflects on the dramatic 2021 season and discusses the aftermath of Charlie Whiting’s death in 2019, which left a significant void in race direction. Whiting, who had been a respected and level-headed figure in Formula 1, was known for his fair and consistent decision-making. Steiner argues that if Whiting had been in charge during the 2021 season, particularly in Abu Dhabi, the chaos and controversy would have been far less pronounced.
Steiner stated: “Wherever your loyalties lie with that one (and yes, I agree, it was amazing entertainment), from a regulations point of view it was a mess of biblical proportions. Regardless of what decision Charlie Whiting might have made in Michael Masi’s position, there would have been far less controversy and embarrassment.”
He went further, expressing confidence in how Whiting would have handled the situation, adding, “Oh, fok it. We all know what Charlie would have done. Had he been at the helm, Lewis would now be an eight-time world champion.”
Since that infamous 2021 season, Hamilton’s career trajectory has shifted, and not in the way many fans might have hoped. Mercedes, Hamilton’s team, has struggled to adapt to the new regulation changes introduced in 2022. As a result, Hamilton hasn’t been in the running for a title since 2021, and he has also faced an unexpected race win drought. Verstappen and his Red Bull team have capitalized on Mercedes’ struggles, dominating the grid and leaving Hamilton without a single race victory in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
However, the British racing legend saw a glimmer of hope in 2024 when he finally broke his two-year streak of winless races by claiming victory at Silverstone. It was a much-needed boost for Hamilton and his fans, but with the 2024 season being his last with Mercedes, questions about his future in the sport continued to swirl.
Looking ahead to 2025, Hamilton is set to join Ferrari, one of the most iconic teams in Formula 1 history. He has signed a multi-year contract with the Italian outfit, and the move has reignited speculation about whether Hamilton can still make history by winning an eighth world championship. With seven titles to his name, he will undoubtedly be looking to recapture his winning form and cement his legacy by bringing Ferrari back to the top of the podium.
Ultimately, Guenther Steiner’s comments have added fuel to the debate about what might have been had different decisions been made during the 2021 season. While we’ll never know for sure how things would have unfolded under Charlie Whiting’s direction, the 2021 Abu Dhabi race will forever be remembered as one of the most controversial moments in Formula 1 history. And for Hamilton, the question of that elusive eighth championship remains—can he finally achieve it, now with Ferrari, and close the chapter on what many see as an unfinished story?
Guenther Steiner makes a bold claim regarding 2021 Lewis Hamilton F1 championship and Michael Masi
