Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner firmly believes that Lewis Hamilton would currently be an eight-time Formula 1 World Champion if the late Charlie Whiting were still serving as the sport's race director.
In his upcoming book Unfiltered , Steiner details his decade with Haas and reflects on key moments in the sport, including the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale.
In his first book, titled Surviving to Drive – a nod to the incredible popularity gained by the Italian through his colorful presence in the Netflix docuseries on F1 'Drive to Survive' – Steiner revisits his life and times in motorsport, including the start of his F1 career Jaguar, the forerunner of the championship winning Red Bull squad.
In Unfiltered , Steiner reflects on the sudden and tragic passing of FIA race director Charlie Whiting on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix in 2019.
Whiting was a crucial figure in Formula 1, known for overseeing major safety advancements and ensuring the fair application of race regulations.
After Whiting's untimely death, Michael Masi took over as race director. Masi's handling of the memorable 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale, when he declared a controversial Safety Car period that handed the title to Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton's detriment, has been widely scrutinized.
Steiner described the fallout from that race as a “shit show,” asserting that the situation would have unfolded differently under Whiting's leadership.
“Wherever your loyalties lie with that one (and yes, I agree, it was amazing entertainment), from a regulations point of view it was a shit show of biblical proportions,” he wrote.
“Regardless of what decision Charlie Whiting might have made in Michael Masi's position, there would have been far less controversy and embarrassment.”
Steiner is adamant that if Whiting had been in charge, Hamilton would have been crowned champion.
“We all know what Charlie would have done,” Steiner continued. “Had he been at the helm Lewis would now be an eight-time world champion.”
An FIA investigation into the Abu Dhabi race found that Masi had incorrectly applied the regulations, attributing the errors to “human error.” Following the controversy, the Aussie was removed from his position and returned to Australia.
Three years on, Steiner says the FIA has “ceased being guilty for their mistakes and have lost their humility”, which “isn't a good situation”.
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