Since it was announced that Michael Masi would no longer be in the role of Formula 1 race director in 2022, after the controversy in Abu Dhabi and shortly before the start of the new season, his presence in the FIA was in limbo.
Despite being replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, Masi remained an employee of the international federation, retaining some of his previous assignments away from the circuits.
He returned to Australia in April and, since then, everything indicated that he would end up leaving the FIA once they agreed on an exit plan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the FIA “confirmed that Michael Masi had decided to leave the FIA and move to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges.”
“He spent a three-year stint as FIA Formula 1 race director and safety delegate, following the sudden passing of Charlie Whiting in 2019, carrying out the many duties entrusted to him in a dedicated and professional manner.”
“The FIA thanks him for his commitment and wishes him all the best for the future.”
Masi rose to prominence in Australian motorsport in various roles, initially with TEGA, the Touring Car Drivers’ Association, and later with the Confederation of Australian Motoring (CAMS).
At the latter, he was assigned to the 2010 Korean GP project, and it was this job that brought him into regular contact with then-F1 race director Charlie Whiting .
After further work at CAMS and the V8 Supercar organization, he emerged as a candidate to succeed Whiting when he finally stepped down. In preparation for this role, in 2018 he shared the role of deputy race director with fellow candidate Scot Elkins , supporting the Briton.
However, following Whiting’s tragic death on the eve of the 2019 Australian GP, Masi was promoted to the role of race director, eventually gaining the role permanently, with Elkins making occasional appearances in an assistant role.
Masi also worked, like Whiting, as a safety delegate , later being given the title of FIA single-seater chief sporting officer.
However, after last year’s Abu Dhabi race and controversial last-minute safety car decisions, Masi came under much criticism, particularly from Mercedes.
Despite this, the Australian hoped to retain his position in 2022, but when the new FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem , decided to renew in February, he was left out of the organization chart.
At the time it was explained that he would be offered a new position within the FIA, but this promise has not been kept.
