Here's a message for Charlie: We need you.

Last Tuesday, Michael Masi left F1's governing body, the FIA, to spend more time with his family in Australia and pursue other goals. Regardless of the side that you fell in Abu Dhabi 2021, you will probably have an opinion on Masi, and it will likely be strong. While I don't agree with every decision he made, I feel for Michael as the one who had to fill Charlie Whiting's impossibly large shoes.

Charlie died suddenly on the eve of the 2019 Formula One season. While those who knew him felt a considerable gap emerge in their lives, his untimely passing left an equally large void within the FIA - and it still hasn't recovered.

Whiting's transparency and respect defined him as a man and a race director. Two crucial qualities as the referee of a competitive, complex, and constantly changing sport.

During the USA Grand Prix 2017, Max Verstappen was given a penalty immediately after the race for cutting a corner, which attracted much controversy. On the Thursday following the race, Charlie held a press conference in which he talked the world's media through decision-making alongside different camera angles. He explained the wording of the rules, and the case was closed as everyone had an answer.

“This clarity stopped controversy lingering.”

This clarity stopped controversy lingering.

The respect between Charlie, the drivers and the teams was clear for all to see. On YouTube, you can see some behind-the-scenes of drivers' briefings in which Charlie's strong relationship with racing drivers is evident.

These are qualities lacking within the current FIA format. Last week, at the Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen said something interesting.

"I don't think it necessarily depends on (having) a single race director. I think it's more about working with the drivers rather than standing your ground and being stubborn".

Even Verstappen, who seems to benefit most from the opacity of the FIA as a driver who pushes the rules beyond the limit more than most, believes that the FAA requires changes.

I read a great article by Matt Kew on Autosport in which he compared the FIA since Abu Dhabi to the Conservative party in the UK since party gate. The solution seems to be bringing a new face rather than changing the underlying issues.

The new face of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem (MBS), became the president seven months ago. Since then, he seems to have thrown his political weight around in F1 substantially compared to his predecessor Jean Todt. But he seems to have been doing so in a weird way.

You can respect his drive to push for all rules to be followed to the letter to avoid a repeat of Abu Dhabi 2021. Yet, he seems to focus on rules that were never a pressing issue.

The whole pants and piercings malarkey of the first few races seemed and was bizarre when we have Sebastian Vettel literally walking out of drivers' briefings in frustration of racing rules such as track limits and forcing other drivers off the track still being debated.

The British Grand Prix last fortnight was one of the season's best races. However, some of the racing standards of Sergio Pérez and Max Verstappen raised questions. Between them, they were guilty of cutting corners to overtake and forcing other drivers off the track. Neither were penalised, and it left fans and drivers alike scratching their heads.

Just a week later, the Austrian Grand Prix would be an excellent time for the race director to explain why things were done to allow everyone to move on. However, neither the race director nor the stewards from Silverstone were present in Austria. While this allows for people to rest, it leads to no accountability.

“The decisions do not need to be perfect, but there needs to be consistency.”

This leaves drivers and fans in the dark as to where the line can be drawn. It's as though the drivers have to learn the rules of the sport as the weekend goes on, which is frankly ridiculous. The decisions do not need to be perfect, but there needs to be consistency.

Of course, times have changed. Formula One has become more popular, so the pressure has increased on those making key decisions during and after the race. But it is clear more than ever that F1 needs a Charlie Whiting figure to steer the ship in a direction that doesn't change weekly. This needs sorting out because people will quickly move on if nobody can get their heads around the game's rules.

The FIA said that Sebastian Vettel did not behave like a role model for walking out of the drivers' briefing, which is plainly ridiculous. Alongside Lewis Hamilton, Seb is a true champion on and off the track, genuinely looking to leave the world in a better place as a result of his platform.

There is also no nonsense with Seb, he respects others and commands respect, and he knows what he's talking about, given his current job. So perhaps the best thing that could happen to F1 is Seb joining the FIA.

“I'm putting Sebastian Vettel forward as the new FIA president.”

I don't know when he will retire, and he might not know either. But when the four-time champion does hang up his helmet, I'm putting Sebastian Vettel forward as the new FIA president.

Whether Seb’s presidency will come in time, I don't know. But I do know that the world doesn't deserve Sebastian Vettel, so while he is here, savour it. And if he can fix F1, even better.