
The call Masi should have made in F1's dramatic finale
OPINION: The 2021 Formula 1 season finale was the campaign in microcosm – packed with thrills and controversy. But it lacked integrity, even when there was an option for officials to maintain it. The championship, its worthy champion, his defeated rival and the rest of the competitors and its fans deserve better
Let's get this clear immediately: Max Verstappen is a worthy and excellent 2021 Formula 1 world champion and congratulations to him and his Red Bull team for the season they produced together. His is a supreme talent that deserves titles.
He crossed the line into unacceptable driving at times with some of his moves against Lewis Hamilton this year, but that doesn't take away from his speed and determination, which deserved to be rewarded with a championship.

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.
A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.
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