PARIS – Following an investigation into the ending the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last November, Formula 1 officials have announced Michael Masi has been removed from his position as race director.
The ending of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Max Verstappen pass Lewis Hamilton on the final lap following a restart to capture not only the race victory, but the Formula 1 championship. The investigation determined that the race restart rules were applied incorrectly when Masi allowed only some of the lapped cars to pass Hamilton prior to the restart.
In doing so, that allowed Verstappen to restart directly behind Hamilton. With fresh tires on his Red Bull, Verstappen overtook Hamilton and captured the Formula 1 title.
Recently elected FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem confirmed Masi’s removal from the race director post. In his place, Niels Wittich, the current DTM race director, and Eduardo Freitas, the current race director of the World Endurance Championship, will take turns as race director.
They’ll be assisted by 73-year-old Herbie Blash, who worked in a similar role under former race director Charlie Whiting before retiring in 2016 and has been named as a permanent senior advisor.
As part of the overhauled system, race teams will no longer be able to communicate directly with the race director during an event. In addition, a new virtual race control room that will be located outside of the racing circuit and will help the race director apply rules and regulations during an event.
“Alike the Video Assistance Referee in football, it will be positioned in one of the FIA Offices as a backup outside the circuit. In real-time connection with the FIA F-1 race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools,” said Ben Sulayem.
“Direct radio communications during the race, currently broadcast live by all TVs, will be removed in order to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully. It will still be possible to ask questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process.
“Unlapping procedures behind Safety Car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season.”
Masi, who stepped into the role as race director following the sudden passing of Whiting prior to start of the 2019 season, will be offered a new role within the FIA.