Michael Masi was Formula 1’s race director for roughly three years but after a controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he bid farewell to the sport

View Image

Michael Masi was once Formula 1’s race director(Image: Getty)

Everything you need to know about controversial ex-Formula 1 race director Michael Masi and what he is up to now

Controversial F1 Race Director: Michael Masi is an Australian motorsports official best known for his three-year tenure as the Formula 1 Race Director and Safety Delegate, a high-pressure role he inherited following the sudden passing of Charlie Whiting in 2019. ‌
The Abu Dhabi Climax: Masi was the central figure in the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale, where his application of the Safety Car restart procedure in the final lap directly influenced the outcome of the Drivers’ Championship between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. ‌
FIA Exit: Following an investigation into the Abu Dhabi controversy, Masi was removed from his role as F1 Race Director in February 2022. He was offered a different position within the FIA, but he ultimately decided to leave the organisation altogether in July 2022. ‌
Relocation to Australia: Upon leaving the FIA, Masi relocated back to his native Australia to be closer to his family and pursue new career challenges in his home country. ‌
Current Primary Job: Masi made an official return to Australian motorsport by being appointed the independent Chairman of the Supercars Commission in September 2022. The Commission is responsible for setting the technical and sporting rules for the Supercars racing series. ‌
Broader Motorsport Involvement: In addition to the Supercars role, Masi has also taken on a position as a director on the board of Karting Australia, the sole FIA-recognised karting body in the country, demonstrating his continued commitment to the sport at the grassroots level. ‌
The Emotional Toll: Masi has since spoken about the backlash and threats he received following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, noting the significant toll it took on his mental health during that period. “There were some dark days,” Australian Masi told News Corp. “Absolutely, I felt like I was the most hated man in the world. I got death threats. People saying they were going to come after me and my family.”
A Familiar Paddock: Masi is no stranger to the Supercars organisation, having previously worked as the series’ deputy race director for several years before joining the FIA in 2018. His current role is therefore a return to a familiar and less public-facing part of the motorsport world.