The International Automobile Federation released an official statement on Tuesday (12), making official the departure of former F1 director Michael Masi - who will, according to the entity, return to Australia in search of new challenges
Removed from the post of Formula 1 race director after the events of the Abu Dhabi GP in 2021, which crowned Max Verstappen as world champion, Michael Masi has officially left the FIA (International Automobile Federation). The announcement was made by the regulatory body itself, on Tuesday (12).
The entity sought to relocate the Australian in a new position within its staff, but Masi chose to leave the FIA and return to his home country to "be closer to his family and accept new challenges.
"Masi oversaw a three-year period as FIA Formula One racing director and safety delegate following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting in 2019, performing the numerous duties assigned to him in a professional and dedicated manner. The FIA thanks him for his commitment and wishes him all the best for the future," pointed out the official note issued by the entity.
In February this year, as direct consequences of the controversy in Abu Dhabi, the FIA replaced Masi with Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas in the position of race director. The following month, the regulatory body completed an investigative report into the events of the last race of F1 2021, admitting the Australian's "human error" - but upholding the race results.
In Abu Dhabi, Masi generated controversy because of decisions made in the race that gave the Formula 1 title to Max Verstappen. The Dutchman was second behind Lewis Hamilton, but the situation changed after Nicholas Latifi crashed with five laps to go.
Before the restart, on the last lap of the race, Michael opted to remove only the laggards who were among the title contenders instead of releasing all of them or none of them, as required by the regulations. With the direct clash created for the last lap, Verstappen overtook Hamilton and won his first F1 world title.