Michael Masi, the former Formula One race director at the center of Lewis Hamilton’s failed effort to win an unprecedented eighth world championship, has resigned from the FIA.
The Australian was fired as race director in February due to his mismanagement of last year’s disputed season-ending race in Abu Dhabi, which allowed Max Verstappen to defeat Lewis Hamilton in a last-lap shootout.
Mohammed ben Sulayem, the new president of the FIA, announced in February that Masi had been granted a new position inside the organization. However, the 44-year-resignation old’s from F1’s governing body was announced on Tuesday — exactly seven months after the championship race that lost him his job.
“The FIA confirms that Michael Masi has decided to leave the FIA and go to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges,” the FIA said in a statement.
“[Michael] managed a three-year tenure as FIA Formula One race director and safety delegate following the untimely death of Charlie Whiting in 2019, carrying out the numerous responsibilities he was entrusted with professionally and diligently. The FIA appreciates his dedication and wishes him well for the future.”
Masi was removed as race director after breaking the rules by allowing several drivers between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves in Abu Dhabi following a late safety-car interval. On the penultimate lap, Red Bull’s Verstappen, who had newer tires, passed Hamilton to win the drivers’ championship.
After investigating the incident, the FIA concluded that Masi “acted in good faith and to the best of his knowledge,” but that he made a “human error.” Hamilton’s Mercedes team filed an appeal against the decision, which was shelved amidst rumors that Masi would be replaced — an allegation that Mercedes vehemently deny.
Masi was supported by several drivers before his dismissal, notably four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and British McLaren driver Lando Norris. Verstappen later accused the FIA of “throwing Masi under the bus” following his disqualification.
Masi was replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who alternately serve as race directors; nevertheless, their nominations have not been universally praised. In May, when weather delayed the Monaco Grand Prix, Freitas was criticized.
At the Spanish Grand Prix in May, double world champion Fernando Alonso questioned Wittich’s comprehension of the position. Vettel was issued a £21,000 suspended fine by the FIA for leaving a drivers’ briefing delivered by Wittich at the most recent Austrian Grand Prix.
