Four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel believes the sport is missing Michael Masi’s experience after the Australian was removed from the Race Director role ahead of the 2022 season.

Masi lost the position after the controversial ending to last December’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Australian was replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas.

However, the complaints have rolled on in 2022. There’s been frustration about bringing out red flags too quickly, plus inconsistency when it comes to reprimands and penalties.

There was also bemusement to the delayed start last time out in Monaco – and the lack of communication from race control as to why that was the case.

Ferrari were also left unhappy two weeks ago as Max Verstappen avoided a penalty after he touched the yellow line on pit exit.

Speaking today on reprimands, Yuki Tsunoda said: “To be honest, I’m not trusting of the FIA. Every time is super inconsistent.

Vettel, who’s director of the GPDA, told PA in an interview: “What we are missing now is the experience that Michael had and brought to the job because he did it for so long and grew up with it.

“It is not an easy position now because there is more focus and more spotlight on what is happening at race control.

“But I hope things calm down and we find a way to work together, as in the drivers and the FIA. You cannot make everybody happy but we need to try and make both sides more happy.”

On the topic of his future, the 34-year-old German admits he’s scared at the thought of retirement, but says the summer break will be time to decide on whether he continues in F1.

“I have done motor racing for my whole life and it gives you security, in terms of the schedule being made by other people.

“I don’t know what life after Formula One looks like and I don’t think any sportsperson knows what the next life looks like. You can have certain things lined up but you don’t know and that is the truth.

“I don’t expect to find something tomorrow which I am really good at because I have found something in my life that I am really good at and it is hard to find that again. How many times can you win the lottery?

“I enjoy driving the car but there are other things I don’t like. After so many years the usual stuff comes up that you don’t understand at the beginning, like the travel. It is very time consuming and I have kids at home and a family so it equals time away from them.

“The future depends on this year and the races that I have coming up. I have not decided yet. The summer is the usual time when you start to talk so we will see.”