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===Formula One===
===Formula One===
Following Whiting's sudden death before the [[2019 Australian Grand Prix]], Masi took on the role of [[Formula One]] race director.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Coch|first1=Mat|last2=Howard|first2=Tom|url=http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/671331/Australian_Michael_Masi_appointed_F1_race_director/|url-status=live|title=Australian Michael Masi appointed F1 race director|website=GPToday.com|publisher=Digital Motorsport Media|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>
Following Whiting's death before the [[2019 Australian Grand Prix]], Masi took on the role of [[Formula One]] race director.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Coch|first1=Mat|last2=Howard|first2=Tom|url=http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/671331/Australian_Michael_Masi_appointed_F1_race_director/|url-status=live|title=Australian Michael Masi appointed F1 race director|website=GPToday.com|publisher=Digital Motorsport Media|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>


Several of Masi's decisions as race director were subject to scrutiny from drivers, teams, and press especially during the 2021 season. At the [[2020 Turkish Grand Prix]] Qualifying's Q2 session cars were sent out on track even when a crane was on the track.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-26|title=Raikkonen says Turkey Q2 crane incident was "far from ideal" · RaceFans|url=https://www.www.racefans.net/2020/11/26/raikkonen-says-turkey-q2-crane-incident-was-far-from-ideal/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=RaceFans|language=en-GB}}</ref> Masi was required to defend the red flag procedures used during the [[2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilde|first=Jon|date=7 June 2021|url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/michael-masi-defends-baku-restart/|url-status=live|title=Masi defends decision to restart Baku race|website=PlanetF1|publisher=Planet Sport Network|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Collantine|first1=Keith|last2=Rencken|first2=Dieter|date=6 June 2021|url=https://www.racefans.net/2021/06/06/why-verstappens-crash-caused-a-red-flag-but-strolls-didnt/|url-status=live|title=Why the Azerbaijan GP was stopped for Verstappen's crash but not Stroll's|website=RaceFans|publisher=Collantine Media|access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref> and was criticised for his decisions at the [[2021 Belgian Grand Prix]], including running qualifying in dangerous conditions,<ref>{{cite web|last=Cleeren|first=Filip|date=31 August 2021|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/masi-admits-starting-q3-at-spa-was-a-mistake/6657691/|url-status=live|title=Masi admits starting Q3 at Spa was a mistake|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref> and running the race behind the safety car for three laps, allegedly to ensure points were awarded;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.we-did-the-best-we-could-but-the-weather-got-the-better-of-us-says-masi.6SD75AurkdGjl0eNcRmKGr.html|url-status=live|title='We did the best we could but the weather got the better of us' says Masi after red-flagged Belgian GP|website=Formula 1|publisher=Formula One Group|access-date=12 January 2022}} Interview archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20211219220340/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2Uky-xOowIw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uky-xOowIw|url-status=live|title=F1 race director Michael Masi explains decision to run two lap race at Spa|website=Sky Sports F1|publisher=YouTube|date=29 August 2021|access-date=12 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> negotiating with teams during races to change positions in the [[2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix]];<ref>{{cite news|last=Braidwood|first=James|date=7 December 2021|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-verstappen-hamilton-saudi-arabia-b1971174.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-verstappen-hamilton-saudi-arabia-b1971174.html |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Saudi Arabian Grand Prix shows F1 'misses Charlie Whiting', Christian Horner claims|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Digital News & Media|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> and the resumption of the race following a safety car period at the [[2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]]. [[Mercedes F1|Mercedes]] protested the result; the protest was not upheld.<ref>{{cite news|last=Amako|first=Uche|date=13 December 2021|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2021/12/13/who-michael-masi-man-made-biggest-call-f1-abu-dhabi-race/|url-status=live|title=Who is Michael Masi? The man at the centre of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen F1 title row|work=The Telegraph|issn=0307-1235|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref>
Several of Masi's decisions as race director were subject to scrutiny from drivers, teams, and press especially during the 2021 season. At the [[2020 Turkish Grand Prix]] Qualifying's Q2 session cars were sent out on track even when a crane was on the track.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-26|title=Raikkonen says Turkey Q2 crane incident was "far from ideal" · RaceFans|url=https://www.www.racefans.net/2020/11/26/raikkonen-says-turkey-q2-crane-incident-was-far-from-ideal/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=RaceFans|language=en-GB}}</ref> Masi was required to defend the red flag procedures used during the [[2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilde|first=Jon|date=7 June 2021|url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/michael-masi-defends-baku-restart/|url-status=live|title=Masi defends decision to restart Baku race|website=PlanetF1|publisher=Planet Sport Network|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Collantine|first1=Keith|last2=Rencken|first2=Dieter|date=6 June 2021|url=https://www.racefans.net/2021/06/06/why-verstappens-crash-caused-a-red-flag-but-strolls-didnt/|url-status=live|title=Why the Azerbaijan GP was stopped for Verstappen's crash but not Stroll's|website=RaceFans|publisher=Collantine Media|access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref> and was criticised for his decisions at the [[2021 Belgian Grand Prix]], including running qualifying in dangerous conditions,<ref>{{cite web|last=Cleeren|first=Filip|date=31 August 2021|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/masi-admits-starting-q3-at-spa-was-a-mistake/6657691/|url-status=live|title=Masi admits starting Q3 at Spa was a mistake|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref> and running the race behind the safety car for three laps, allegedly to ensure points were awarded;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.we-did-the-best-we-could-but-the-weather-got-the-better-of-us-says-masi.6SD75AurkdGjl0eNcRmKGr.html|url-status=live|title='We did the best we could but the weather got the better of us' says Masi after red-flagged Belgian GP|website=Formula 1|publisher=Formula One Group|access-date=12 January 2022}} Interview archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20211219220340/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2Uky-xOowIw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uky-xOowIw|url-status=live|title=F1 race director Michael Masi explains decision to run two lap race at Spa|website=Sky Sports F1|publisher=YouTube|date=29 August 2021|access-date=12 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> negotiating with teams during races to change positions in the [[2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix]];<ref>{{cite news|last=Braidwood|first=James|date=7 December 2021|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-verstappen-hamilton-saudi-arabia-b1971174.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-verstappen-hamilton-saudi-arabia-b1971174.html |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Saudi Arabian Grand Prix shows F1 'misses Charlie Whiting', Christian Horner claims|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Digital News & Media|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> and the resumption of the race following a safety car period at the [[2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]]. [[Mercedes F1|Mercedes]] protested the result; the protest was not upheld.<ref>{{cite news|last=Amako|first=Uche|date=13 December 2021|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2021/12/13/who-michael-masi-man-made-biggest-call-f1-abu-dhabi-race/|url-status=live|title=Who is Michael Masi? The man at the centre of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen F1 title row|work=The Telegraph|issn=0307-1235|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref>

Revision as of 05:46, 21 May 2022

Michael Masi
Born1978 (age 45–46)
Sydney, Australia
NationalityAustralian
OccupationMotorsports official

Michael Masi (born 1978) is an Australian motorsports official. Masi served as Formula One race director from 2019 to 2021. In this role, Masi oversaw the logistics of a Formula One racing weekend, ensuring all cars, tracks, and drivers conform to FIA regulations before, during, and after a race.[1] Masi was removed from his position following an FIA analysis into his application of safety car procedure at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Early life

Masi was born in Sydney in 1978 and is of Italian descent. Growing up in the suburbs of Fairfield and Canada Bay, Masi initially studied marketing at TAFE before his roles in motorsport.[2]

Career

Early career

Masi began his career in motor racing volunteering for Super Touring teams while still at school. He worked as deputy race director in the Supercars touring car racing series[3] and at Rally Australia.[4] In 2018, he was appointed by the FIA as the Formula Two and Formula Three deputy race director, and was appointed deputy to F1 race director Charlie Whiting.[5][2] Masi alternated in this role between Grands Prix with Scott Elkins, who would become the race director for Formula E and the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.[6]

Formula One

Following Whiting's death before the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, Masi took on the role of Formula One race director.[7]

Several of Masi's decisions as race director were subject to scrutiny from drivers, teams, and press especially during the 2021 season. At the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix Qualifying's Q2 session cars were sent out on track even when a crane was on the track.[8] Masi was required to defend the red flag procedures used during the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix,[9][10] and was criticised for his decisions at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, including running qualifying in dangerous conditions,[11] and running the race behind the safety car for three laps, allegedly to ensure points were awarded;[12] negotiating with teams during races to change positions in the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix;[13] and the resumption of the race following a safety car period at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mercedes protested the result; the protest was not upheld.[14]

On 17 February 2022, Masi was removed from his role as Race Director following an FIA analysis into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[15][16] He was replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas as race directors on an alternating basis for the 2022 Formula One season, and Herbie Blash as Permanent Senior Advisor to them.[17] A new position within the FIA will be offered to Masi.[18]

On 19 March 2022 the FIA published their official report into the Abu Dhabi controversy. That report concluded that Masi had incorrectly applied regulations, in that not all lapped cars had unlapped themselves, and the safety car had not completed one additional lap before coming back into the pitlane. The report attributed these matters to human error.[19]

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff subsequently referred to Masi as having been a "liability" to Formula One and stated that Masi did not take well to receiving feedback or criticism from anybody, as well as suggesting that he had acted disrespectfully at times towards some drivers in briefings.[20]

References

  1. ^ "F1 Stewards: Who are they, what do they do & how are they chosen?". Autosport.com. Motorsport Network. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b Bilton, Ross (27 June 2020). "Q&A: Michael Masi, Formula 1 Race Director, 41". The Australian. News Corporation. Retrieved 6 June 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Chokhani, Darshan (27 March 2019). "Michael Masi keeps F1 race director and safety delegate role for Bahrain GP". DriveTribe. W. Chump & Sons. Retrieved 7 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Masi is revved for rally". Sunshine Coast Daily. News Corp Australia. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  5. ^ Parkes, Ian (19 September 2019). "Michael Masi Dives In as Race Director". The New York Times. A. G. Sulzberger/The New York Times Company. Retrieved 6 June 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Benson, Andrew (15 January 2022). "FIA president meets Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as part of F1 inquiry". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  7. ^ Coch, Mat; Howard, Tom. "Australian Michael Masi appointed F1 race director". GPToday.com. Digital Motorsport Media. Retrieved 6 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Raikkonen says Turkey Q2 crane incident was "far from ideal" · RaceFans". RaceFans. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  9. ^ Wilde, Jon (7 June 2021). "Masi defends decision to restart Baku race". PlanetF1. Planet Sport Network. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Collantine, Keith; Rencken, Dieter (6 June 2021). "Why the Azerbaijan GP was stopped for Verstappen's crash but not Stroll's". RaceFans. Collantine Media. Retrieved 7 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Cleeren, Filip (31 August 2021). "Masi admits starting Q3 at Spa was a mistake". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 31 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "'We did the best we could but the weather got the better of us' says Masi after red-flagged Belgian GP". Formula 1. Formula One Group. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Interview archived at Wayback Machine: "F1 race director Michael Masi explains decision to run two lap race at Spa". Sky Sports F1. YouTube. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ Braidwood, James (7 December 2021). "Saudi Arabian Grand Prix shows F1 'misses Charlie Whiting', Christian Horner claims". The Independent. Independent Digital News & Media. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  14. ^ Amako, Uche (13 December 2021). "Who is Michael Masi? The man at the centre of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen F1 title row". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem opens the way for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Michael Masi replaced as F1 race director after FIA review of 2021 Abu Dhabi GP finale". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Michael Masi replaced as race director amid FIA structural changes | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  18. ^ Benson, Andrew (17 February 2022). "Michael Masi removed as F1 race director as part of FIA restructure in wake of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". BBC News. p. 1. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  19. ^ "'Human error' to blame at Abu Dhabi GP". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  20. ^ Khorounzhiy, Valentin. "'Immune to feeback' and a 'liability' to F1-Wolff on Masi". The Race. The Race Media. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
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