Formula 1 news: Michael Masi breaks silence after exit

Former F1 race director, Australian Michael Masi, has opened up after his exit from the sport was confirmed.

Michael Masi has confirmed his stint in Formula One is over with the former race director speaking for the first time since he made the decision that cost Lewis Hamilton another world title.

Masi has sent News Corp Australia his official statement ahead of releasing it to the world media on Thursday.

“It has been a pleasure and honour representing the FIA as the Single-Seater Sporting Director and FIA Formula 1 Race Director and Safety Delegate since Charlie’s unexpected and tragic passing in Melbourne 2019,” Masi said in the statement.

“Having worked on various projects around the world with the Federation 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.

Michael Masi.

“I am proud to have worked in partnership for many years with the various FIA Member Clubs, Formula 1 Group, the Competitors, Promoters 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 date.

“In particular, I am eternally grateful to Herbie Blash and the late Charlie Whiting for identifying me as a future successor 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 for the support and guidance during my tenure of the former FIA President Jean Todt, Stefano Domenicali, 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 something that I will forever cherish.”

FIA CONFIRMS AUSSIE MASI’S EXIT

AFP

Michael Masi, removed as Formula One race director over his management of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, has left the FIA, the sport’s governing body said.

“The FIA confirms that Michael Masi has decided to leave the FIA and relocate to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges,” read a statement from the FIA.

“He oversaw a three-year period as FIA Formula 1 race director and safety delegate following the sudden passing of Charlie Whiting in 2019, carrying out the numerous functions he was tasked with in a professional and dedicated manner.” Masi was heavily criticised for the sequence of events that led to Max Verstappen passing Lewis Hamilton to deprive the Briton of a record eighth title.

Masi called in the safety car for the final lap, then controversially allowed the backmarkers between race leader Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves.

That led to a one lap shoot-out between Hamilton and Verstappen, who with fresh tyres on his Red Bull car had a huge advantage. The Dutchman exploited it to stunning effect when he picked off Hamilton in his Mercedes to seal the title.

Aussie GP chief Andrew Westacott with Michael Masi.

Mercedes and Red Bull both put pressure on Masi to make decisions which would have helped their driver. The former were left incensed as they believed Masi followed their rivals’ suggestions.

The team made two immediate protests, both of which were rejected. Hamilton, while graceful in defeat, had made his feelings all too clear when passed by his Dutch arch rival, saying on his team radio: “This has been manipulated man.” Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff raised the possibility that Hamilton might even walk away from the sport.

Wolff claimed a “disillusioned” Hamilton would “never get over” the Abu Dhabi conclusion.

Both boycotted the end-of-season gala dinner at the FIA’s Paris headquarters where Verstappen was duly anointed as world champion.

Hamilton though, did return and presently sits in sixth position in the overall standings, 99 points adrift of championship leader Verstappen at the halfway point of the season.

Since the controversial finish to the Abu Dhabi race the FIA have announced measures to ease the pressure on the race director and also altered the mode of communicating with him.