Michael Masi out as F1 race director after Abu Dhabi controversy

PARIS — Michael Masi will be changed as Formula One’s race director subsequent the late controversy bordering the title-determining Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem mentioned Thursday.

Motorsport’s governing body arrived at its determination immediately after conducting a thorough analysis of the wild ending at the year finale, where by Pink Bull driver Max Verstappen won his very first entire world title following overtaking Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton on the very last lap.

The 44-year-outdated Masi is remaining with the FIA but in an undetermined role.

“A new race management crew will be put in put starting off in Barcelona (upcoming 7 days) for the test session,” Ben Sulayem mentioned in a assertion.

“Michael Masi, who attained a incredibly tough career for 3 a long time as Components 1 race director next Charlie Whiting, will be supplied a new placement inside the FIA,” he ongoing. “I offered this total prepare to the customers of the Planet Motor Activity Council and the Senate who gave their complete assist.”

Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternatively as race director, assisted by Herbie Blash as long lasting senior advisor, Ben Sulayem said.

The Abu Dhabi end result followed a essential selection by Masi, prompting deep confusion and seething vitriol in some quarters — with the FIA stating the sport’s impression had been tarnished as a consequence.

Hamilton led comfortably till a crash by Nicholas Latifi introduced out the protection motor vehicle with 5 laps remaining. Verstappen stopped underneath yellow for a contemporary established of tires, and Masi flipped his choice and allow the drivers separating Verstappen from Hamilton pass the security motor vehicle under yellow.

Verstappen restarted second driving Hamilton and, on more quickly new tires, zoomed previous Hamilton in the fifth turn.

Mercedes missing both of those its protests more than how the race finished.

Hamilton was totally dejected at the way he skipped out on a file eighth F1 title to transfer ahead of fellow good Michael Schumacher.

Though Masi was greatly criticized, while he was also in a difficult place through the race, with both Mercedes and Pink Bull able to talk right with him in a second of rigorous force. This elevated concerns as to no matter if F1 was turning out to be too much of a Tv set exhibit and significantly less of a sport.

That debate is now about.

“Direct radio communications during the race, at the moment broadcast live by all TVs, will be eliminated in get to guard the race director from any pressure and allow for him to take conclusions peacefully,” Ben Sulayem stated. “It will however be doable to ask concerns to the race director, in accordance to a very well-outlined and non-intrusive system.”

The structural changes see the creation a new soccer-design Digital Race Handle Home, whilst unlapping treatments at the rear of safety vehicles will be reassessed ahead of the very first race in Bahrain on March 20.

“Like the Video Aid Referee (VAR) in football, it will be positioned in just one of the FIA places of work as a backup exterior the circuit,” Ben Sulayem explained. “In true-time link with the FIA F1 race director, it will aid to implement the sporting restrictions making use of the most modern day technological resources.”

Ben Sulayem hopes the 2022 time will be a far more appeased 1 following high tensions among Crimson Bull and Mercedes and from teams towards officials dominated 2021. The blameless Latifi even hired bodyguards immediately after getting demise threats.

“With this system, FIA opens the way for a new move forward in Components 1 refereeing. With out the referees, there is no activity,” Ben Sulayem said. “Respect and aid of the referees is in the essence of the FIA.”

The changes ended up introduced on the eve of Mercedes launching its 2022 automobile, with Hamilton set to communicate publicly for the very first time because Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes posted a photo Thursday on Twitter of Hamilton and new teammate George Russell in their racing fits.