ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: FIA Race Director Michael Masi walks in the Paddock before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Michael Masi has completely gone under the radar since his controversial F1 exit – what is he currently doing?
If you have been wondering what Michael Masi has been doing since his F1 exit, well we have some fresh updates for you. The former F1 race director has recently been named the new chairman of the V8 Supercars Commission. The 44-year-old Australian has replaced Neil Crompton as chair of the Supercars Commission, who ended his decade-long tenure in the role this month.
Masi will oversee the sporting and technical rules in the Australian car series championship. In an official statement after his appointment, Masi said: “I’m very proud to have been appointed to this role and look forward to working with the key stakeholders in the sport to ensure the future is exciting for our teams, partners, sponsors and the fans.” Masi’s first round in his new role came last month at the Auckland SuperSprint on September 10-11.
Michael Masi was removed from his role as F1 director after a controversial title-deciding verdict in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which saw Max Verstappen win the championship ahead of Lewis Hamilton. While, Masi’s decision caused an angry outbreak of emotions from fans across the world, he did receive support from a few big names. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had earlier termed his removal as ‘unfair.’
“Was it right to fire him based on pressure that was placed on him from a rival team? That for me was wrong. That’s tantamount to bullying. It’s passively aggressive” Horner had earlier said in an interview, with fingers clearly pointing towards Red Bull’s rivals Mercedes. On the other hand, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff had stated that Masi is a ‘disgrace’ to the sport.
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