FIA president declares Masi departure after: "A very challenging job"

The FIA announced on Thursday afternoon that Michael Masi is leaving as race director. On the official website of the organization, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem explains the decision.

Not only did Formula 1 experience a blistering season in 2021, there was also a lot of criticism of the race management. The FIA, therefore, decided to intervene at the end of the season and found it necessary to offer Masi another role within the organisation. It means that Masi is officially gone as a race director.

The organisation is also going for a different model, Ben Sulayem explained. "Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternatively as Race Director, assisted by Herbie Blash as a permanent senior advisor," he explained. "Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as Formula 1 race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA."

Ben Sulayem stresses that the decision did not happen overnight and that the FIA is fully behind it. "I presented this complete plan to the members of the World Motor Sport Council and the Senate who gave their full support."