A central figure in the controversial outcome for the world title in Abu Dhabi between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, the Australian is no longer the race director of Formula 1.
Suspended since December 12, the fate of Michael Masi was sealed by the FIA on Thursday. At the same time as Ferrari unveiled its F1-75, the International Federation announced that the Australian had been relieved of his role as race director. Niels Wittich (ex-DTM race director) and Eduardo Freitas (ex-director of the World Endurance Championship) will replace him alternately in this position, where they will be assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior adviser.
The announcement made by the new president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, should satisfy the Mercedes clan, which had cursed following the decision taken by Masi to restart the race for a last lap where Max Verstappen had blown the title of champion of the world to Lewis Hamilton. In a video released after the race by the organizers, the race director appeared panicked and under pressure when making a decision following the crash of Nicholas Latifi, who then interrupted the race.
More direct communication between teams and race management
A scene that had revealed the pressure put by the team bosses, Toto Wolff (Mercedes) and Christian Horner (Red Bull) in particular. Pressures that now belong to the past, since the FIA has announced that direct communication between teams and race management will henceforth be prohibited.
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