Home

Michael Masi to Be Given New Role After F1 Race Director Sacking

Published 03/20/2022, 9:09 AM EDT

The 2022 F1 season has finally begun and soon the first race will begin in Bahrain. However, the Abu Dhabi saga from last year doesn’t seem to come to an end. On Saturday, FIA publicly released the reports of the investigation on Michael Masi and the 2021 finale race.

According to the reports, Michael Masi failed to follow two of the FIA regulations and made a “human error.” FIA already relieved Masi from his post as the race director in February 2022. But the F1 governing body doesn’t want to get rid of Masi after his contribution to the sport over three years. Therefore, they plan to offer him a new post and are currently negotiating with Masi.

Article continues below this ad

FIA president Mohammed Bin Sulayem shared, “We are grateful to him for the work he has done for us and for the three years he has spent. Now of course we are negotiating with him to stay with the FIA. He is an important figure for us. Our staff are negotiating another position for him at the FIA.”

Could Lewis Hamilton’s Long Standing F1 Record Be Threatened Amid Mercedes Struggles?

“Now that we have finished the analysis of the race in Abu Dhabi, we want to look ahead. We have the 2022 season and the first race of the new era, Bahrain.” The FIA president continued. [Translated By Google]

FIA introducing new structure in F1

The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP was a title-decider between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Therefore, Masi was already under a lot of pressure from both team principals, Christian Horner and Toto Wolff. Under such pressure, Masi made a wrong decision of a late-race safety car and a questionable unlapping of cars. Many fans and experts believe these controversial decisions gave Verstappen the upper hand in the race.

After FIA found Masi guilty, they removed him as race director and plans to establish a new structure. FIA is planning to have more than one race director in the 2022 season to lessen the burden of conducting race throughout a season on only one man. Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will replace Masi in 2022 season as race directors. Further, both race directors will work alternatively.

Article continues below this ad

The FIA has said "human error" contributed to the controversial finish at in Abu Dhabi but insisted former Michael Masi acted in good faith throughout 👀 pic.twitter.com/uuVKT4YpRf
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 19, 2022

Also, FIA is getting former race director Herbie Blash back but this time as a senior advisor to both new race directors. The F1 governing body will also establish a virtual control room which might be similar to VAR in soccer.

Article continues below this ad

After the Abu Dhabi incident, FIA is investing a lot and trying its best to improve the sport. Let’s see whether these new steps help Formula One in the ongoing 2022 season.

WATCH THIS STORY: From Sensational Haas Comeback to Lewis Hamiltons Struggles: Best Moments from Bahrain GP Qualifying

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Ripan Majumdar is an F1 writer at Essentially Sports. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor's in Science from West Bengal State University, Kolkata. Ripan is a massive Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez fan, and has been following the sport for over the past few years.

Edited by:

Deepika Bhaduri

Michael Masi to Be Given New Role After F1 Race Director Sacking

FIA introducing new structure in F1

Trending

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

Who are Zhou Guanyu’s Parents? Everything We Know About The Chinese Driver’s Family

Adrian Newey Hits Out at Climate Activist Lewis Hamilton’s Fuel Protest, Desperate to See V10 Engines Again

Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department Sends F1 Fans Into a Frenzy: “Its a Fernando Reference”

Charles Leclerc: “He [Carlos Sainz] Is Fighting Me More Than Others”