F1 News
BREAKING | Masi removed from position as Formula 1 race director by the FIA
- GPblog.com
The controversy that arose after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has cost Michael Masi his head. After conducting extensive investigations into the conduct of the 2021 final race, the FIA has concluded that Masi's position as race director is no longer tenable.
Masi no longer working as race director in F1
The organization has also identified the need to change the existing procedures, as well as the duties of the race director. The FIA concludes that the latter has too many different responsibilities. However, this knowledge was of no avail to Masi.
The FIA releases a video at the same time as the Ferrari launch, outlining its structural changes to race control:
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) February 17, 2022
- Masi out as race director
- Remote race control that will support the race director
- Direct radio comms to race director removed#F1
Changes
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed a "thorough reform" of race control, including a Virtual Race Control Room like VAR in football, which was rumoured earlier. Masi has been offered another job within the FIA, but that role is not yet known publically. Earlier in the week, rumours suggested that this would be a role in safety.
Masi will be replaced as race director by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who will alternate the role. In the same message, Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that director radio communication will no longer be allowed in Formula 1. The report also said: "unlapping procedures behind safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season."