Michael Masi quits FIA and ex-race director moves to Australia after Abu Dhabi drama

Michael Masi has 'decided to leave the FIA' months after he was sacked as F1 race director following the controversial Abu Dhabi season finale. New FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had promised Masi would be reassigned following his F1 sacking.

However, Masi has instead decided to return to Australia to "take on new challenges". A statement from the FIA ​​read: "The FIA ​​confirms that Michael Masi has decided to leave the FIA ​​and relocate to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges.

“He oversaw a three-year period as FIA Formula 1 Race Director and Safety Delegate following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting in 2019, carrying out the many duties entrusted to him from professional and dedicated manner. The FIA ​​thanks him for his commitment and wishes him the best for the future."

Masi has been replaced as race director ahead of the 2022 season after a controversial end to the world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last season. He was criticized for his race management after Nichaolas Latifi crashed into the wall with just a handful of laps remaining, bringing out a safety car.

However, Masi restarted the race allowing only the cars that were between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to overtake. An FIA report on the final said Masi had "recalled the safety car back into the pit lane without completing an extra lap as required by Formula 1 sporting regulations".

Hamilton missed out on their eighth world title despite dominating from the start. The drama saw many fans criticize the FIA ​​and F1, with many calling the sport "correction".