Formula 1: Former F1 race director Michael Masi, who administered last year’s controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi, has formally left the FIA and moved to his nation of origin, Australia. Follow Formula 1 and French GP LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
The FIA has released a statement confirming Michael Masi has “decided to leave the FIA and relocate to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges” #F1
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) July 12, 2022
In a statement on Tuesday, FIA confirmed that Masi will no longer be working for the sports governing body. “The FIA confirms that Michael Masi has decided to leave the FIA. He will relocate to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges,” the statement read.
“He oversaw a three-year period as FIA Formula One 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. The FIA thanks him for his commitment and wishes him the best for the future,” the statement concluded.
No Mikey, no! 😏
That whole thing about him being moved on rather than fired was clearly a temporary face-saving move.
His #HumanError simply made it impossible to retain him.
The credibility of the 2021 title falls even further.#F1xed #VoidLap58 #F1 #FIA #HumanErrorChampion https://t.co/Og1BaRorcq
— Jay 🏁 (@f1lmer) July 12, 2022
However, Masi was removed as the F1 race director ahead of the current 2022 season. It was the FIA that found ‘human error’ was at fault for the incorrect approach of the safety car rules in the dying stages at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
While trying to accelerate the restart of the race after a late Safety Car period, Masi disregarded segments of the FIA’s own donning guidelines to set up a last-lap fight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen for the title.
Had he observed the guidelines accurately, the race would have finished under a Safety Car and Hamilton would have been delegated champion. But by shortcutting the restart process Masi gave a benefit to Verstappen, who proceeded to surpass Hamilton on the last lap and bring home his maiden F1 title.
MAX VERSTAPPEN. WORLD CHAMPION!!!
A stunning season by an extraordinary talent#HistoryMade #F1 @Max33Verstappen pic.twitter.com/FxT9W69xJe
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021
Meanwhile, Verstappen had pitted in the Safety car period and was on fresher tyres while Hamilton was running on tyres that had worn out. At Turn 5, Verstappen made his move on Hamilton by overtaking him and taking the lead of the race.
Moreover, an investigation by FIA found Masi had acted ‘with sincere intentions’, yet the governing body actually felt it essential to redesign its race control activity, which included designating two new race directors to replace the ongoing Masi.
