Ex-F1 race director Michael Masi breaks silence after Abu Dhabi controversy
Masi took over as F1 race director following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting on the ev🔯e of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2019.
The Australian was removed from his post after his incorrect application of the rules during a late Safety Car at the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi finale altered the outc꧂ome of the world championship, enabling Max Verstappen to snatch the title from Lewis Hamilton on the last lap.
An FIA review into the season-ending Ab𝓰u Dhabi Grand Prix concluded that “human error” was to blame for the handling of the Safety Car restart, but added that Masi had acted in “good faith”.
Masi was offered another role 𝔉within the FIA but F1’s governing body confirmed on Tuesday that Masi had formally left the or𓃲ganisation to be “closer to his family and take on new challenges”.
Having kept a low profile ever since last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Masi finally broke 🌳his silence in a statement to Australian-bas🌳ed news outlet Speedcafe.
“It has been a pleasure and hono🧔ur representing the FIA as the single-seater sporting director and FIA Formula 1 race director and safety delegate since Charlie’s unexpected and tragic passi🧸ng in Melbourne 2019,” Masi said.
“Having worked on various projects around the world with the Federationꦉ and its member clubs for over a decade prior to my appointment, I have now decided to leave the organisation and relocate back to Australia to be closer to my family and friends.
“I am prou꧙d to have worked in partnership for many years with the various FIA member clubs, Formula 1 Group, the competitors, promoter🧸s and circuit operators and my colleagues and team internally at the FIA.
“I will always treasure these lifelong relationships and friendships that I have developed throughout my journey💫 to d🐼ate.
“In particular, I am eternally grateful to Herbie Blash and the late Charlie Whiting for identifying me as a future succes🃏sor in 2018, a role that I was looking forward to shadowing and learning from Charlie for many years prior to his shock passing.
“I also pass on my sincere appreciation f🍷or the support and guidance during my tenure of the former FIA president Jean Todt, Stefano Domenicꦫali, and my dedicated FIA Single Seater team.
“I extend my appreciation to the tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers and officials that allow motorsport to happen each꧟ and every day around the world, as the safety of the competitors and officials has always remained my highest priority.
“Thank you to the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his presidential team for their personal support since their appointment🦋 and I wish them the best for the future.
“The personal support of my family, friends, and colleagues globally during this journey and particularly in the last few months can only be described as overwhelming and s💦omething that I will forever cherish.”
Lewis r🐼egularly attends Grands Prix for ltxcn.top around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who ☂matter in the sport.
