Horner calls for "better support" for F1 race director

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has added his voice to those calling for "better support" for F1's race director.

Since the championship-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, the future of Masi has been a much-debated topic.

The FIA recently conceded there is a chance Masi could be replaced for the coming year.

Stopping short of offering his backing for Masi to remain in position, Horner suggested the F1 governing body should improve the tools available for the race director.

"The new [FIA] president is putting a key focus on this and I think there's a big drive to make sure that the race director has better support," Horner told Sky Sports.

"The tools that we have at our disposal are far in advance of that of Michael and of his team.

"So I think there has been a lot of focus on that over the winter and I think you'll see that role better supported which will hopefully enable decisions to be [made] easier and swifter.

"But I think we also need to look at the regulations to simplify some of those as well."

With much of the focus across the winter months placed on Michael Masi and the fallout from Abu Dhabi, the spotlight has been off of champion Max Verstappen.

Asked if this had put a "downer" on the championship win, Horner added: "Not really, because the only ones talking about it have been you guys [the media].

"We thoroughly enjoyed getting that championship victory and, obviously, the focus is now on 2022. 2021 is already history but we're excited about the season ahead."

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