Lewis Hamilton refuses to meet with Aussie former race director Michael Masi

The seven-time world champion has revealed his brutal move after an invitation from a former F1 official in Melbourne.

Lewis Hamilton said he will not speak to the sacked Formula One race director Michael Masi at this weekend’s Australian GP in Melbourne, because “there is nothing to say”.

Michael Masi, who is Australian, will make his first return to the Formula 1 paddock at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

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According to The Mail, the seven-time world champion will refuse the opportunity to receive an explanation from Masi for his mishandling of the 2021 season decider.

Masi was the man in charge when Hamilton and Max Verstappen took their fight for the 2021 world title to the last race of the season.

The Mercedes driver looked to be cruising towards Championship number eight until Nicholas Latifi’s crash brought out a safety car.

In an astonishing turn of events, Masi appeared to incorrectly interpret the regulations regarding a safety car restart.

Former Formula One race director Michael Masi (C) made a blunder that ruined Hamilton. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)

One swift decision wiped out Hamilton’s lead as the group of lapped drivers between him and Verstappen was ordered to pass through.

When the safety car was pulled in with one lap remaining, Verstappen overtook Hamilton on fresher tyres to seal his maiden title.

The subsequent FIA report blamed “human error”, but did not alter the result.

The investigation also saw the race director relieved of his duties, and he has been absent from F1 race weekends ever since.

Masi left the FIA last summer before moving home to Australia and being appointed chairman of the V8 Supercars Commission.

When asked by reporters whether he would seek out an explanation from Masi, Hamilton replied: “I don’t (plan to). I am just focused on my future. I am focused on trying to get back to winning. There is nothing to say”.

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain has refused to talk to Masi in Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The 38-year-old is facing up to the prospect of another challenging year, with his Mercedes unable to compete against Verstappen’s superior Red Bull.

Hamilton finished fifth in the opening two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The Masi development comes as rumours swirl that Hamilton and Mercedes could part ways at the end of this year given the eye-watering cost of the F1 star’s next contract.

Hamilton’s current contract, worth A$52 million a season, ends at the conclusion of 2023 and his future in the sport is up in the air.

With daylight behind Red Bull in the race for the drivers’ and constructors’ championship this season, the clock is ticking on Hamilton’s bid for a record-breaking eighth world title.

Hamilton is yet to sign a new deal but according to The Times, the prospect of having to pay the 38-year-old’s next contract could see Mercedes wave goodbye to the seven-time world champion.

Earlier this year, reports suggested Hamilton’s new contract would be worth $217.8 million across two years.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton has had a slow start to the season. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

20 Minutes reported Hamilton was considering an additional contract as a Mercedes ambassador after he retires, worth $389.6 million over 10 years.

If Hamilton puts pen to paper on these deals, he would stand to earn $680.9m over the next 13 years.

The staggering amounts are reportedly financed significantly by Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of chemical multinational Ineos, which also serves as the main sponsor of Mercedes-AMG Petronas and holds a 33 per cent stake in the team.

Writing in The Times, Matthew Syed said the “many Hamilton detractors” believe Mercedes could be better off spending that money elsewhere and Hamilton could make a move to Ferrari.

“This is why the question of his future is so tantalising,” Syed wrote.

“He benefited hugely from the world-class engineering at Mercedes in the good years and doubtless feels a sense of loyalty.

“But with one season left on his contract, he may be wondering whether there is a different ride out there that may enable him to leave on a high.

“It’s unlikely he would gain a berth at Red Bull, but the prospect of Hamilton and Verstappen going head to head in the same car – the ageing maestro against the audacious pretender – is a storyline that could take the sport to a new level.”

Originally published as Lewis Hamilton refuses to meet with Aussie former race director Michael Masi