Formula 1’s ousted race director Michael Masi at the end of the 2021 season has officially stepped down from his role with the FIA.
The FIAthe Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, announces on Tuesday 12 July that Michael Masi is no longer part of his organization.
The 44-year-old Australian has decided “to leave the FIA and move to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges”said the FIA in a press release. “The FIA thanks him for his commitment and wishes him the best for the future. »
Appointed at the start of the 2019 season following the unexpected death of Charlie WhitingMichael Masi worked for three seasons as race director and safety delegate at Formula 1 Grands Prix.
A controversial decision cost him his job
After three years of combining the functions, the Masi’s career as race director came to a halt following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021the climax of a campaign already under high tension between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
We remember that the duelists for the world title had found themselves artificially face to face one lap from the checkered flag following the Masi’s decision to let pass only the five delayed single-seaters separating them in the peloton.
What some later described as a misguided interpretation of the sporting regulations played in favor of Verstappen who, shod in fresher rubbers, swooped down on hamilton to win the race and first world champion title.
#F1 – @Charles_Leclerc, @Max33Verstappen & @LewisHamilton shared their thoughts after the 2022 #AustrianGP 🇦🇹 ⬇ https://t.co/KR6CWfMsdP pic.twitter.com/N7eaT27l6q
— FIA (@fia) July 10, 2022
The FIA cleans up
sharply criticized in the weeks following the events at Yas Marina, Masi then paid the price of the FIA’s decision to clean house internally. Replaced by a new duo of race directorsthe Australian was then replaced within the organization chart of the federation. A “promotion” that only lasted a few months before he decided to return to his family.
Source: FIA
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