“I can only make suggestions to the World Council” – Senior FIA official Peter Bayer confirms that F1 race director Michael Masi might be replaced

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3 years ago

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)

F1 Race Director Michael Masi could be removed in the aftermath of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy

Senior FIA official Peter Bayer has suggested that race director Michael Masi could yet be removed ahead of the 2022 F1 season. The Australian’s position has been in doubt since the controversial ending of the Abu Dhabi GP. The drivers between Lewis and Max Verstappen were waved past the safety car.

TOPSHOT – Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives behind the safety car at the Yas Marina Circuit during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on December 12, 2021. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

The car was deployed after Nicholas Latifi’s crash and Verstappen used his fresher tyres to win the race and his maiden F1 World Championship. Since then, an enquiry has been in the process to find better procedures for the future. This is also vital as it would determine the future of 7-time Champion Lewis Hamilton. According to reports, Hamilton is considering retirement from the sport after a record-breaking title was snatched at the last lap of the season.

FIA General Secretary Peter Bayer, however, believes that despite Masi doing well in the job, the controversy could remove him from the post. He said, “He has done a super job. We have told him that, but also that there is a possibility that there will be a new race director.” (h/t MotorSport)

“I can only make suggestions to the World Council, and they will definitely include him.”

Michael Masi has been the race director since 2019

Michael Masi has been the F1 race director since 2019. The Australian has been with the FIA as the Formula Two and Formula Three deputy race director and deputy to F1 race director Charlie Whiting.

Whiting, unfortunately, passed away three days before the Australian Grand Prix in 2019, with Masi assuming the role since. Meanwhile, the FIA has no plans to quicken the Abu Dhabi investigation, even after organising an Extraordinary Meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

The FIA has scheduled the virtual gathering for February 3, but says that it won’t cover F1 matter.