FIA announces 'F1 VAR' following 2021 Abu Dhabi GP controversy

Formula 1 will introduce its own version of VAR Video Assistant Referee system, alongside a completely new race direction team, following its investigation into the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The new virtual race control system to analyse key moments in grands prix is being implemented alongside a completely new race direction team. Le Mans and DTM race directors Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich will alternate in the F1 race director role, while Herbie Blash returns as permanent senior advisor.

Michael Masi will no longer be involved, and is being offered another position within racing’s governing body, the FIA, which announced the organisational changes today.

The trio will also be assisted by the virtual race control, which will be similar to the VAR system used in football. The new room will be set up in an additional FIA office outside of the circuit and use real time connections to the F1 race director to assist with the race director’s decision-making.

Teams will still be able to pose questions to the race director, though it’s promised that this will be a non-intrusive process and not broadcast, allowing tghe race director to make decisions “peacefully”. It’s a contrast to the closing stages of last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where team principals and sporting directors from Mercedes and Red Bull were haranguing Masi — a spectacle described as a “pantomime” by McLaren Racing CEO, Zak Brown.