Former Formula One race director Michael Masi has decided to leave the governing FIA and relocate to Australia seven months after playing a part in one of the sport’s biggest recent controversies.
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The FIA confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that Masi, whose job is now shared by Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, had gone.
Masi changed the safety car re-start procedure at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, a move that handed the title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and denied Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton a record eighth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkMXzbB4Pxw” width=”320″ height=”472″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”></iframe> <p>He was replaced in February but had remained within the governing body, who had talked about offering him a new role.</p> <p>A subsequent report into the Abu Dhabi race found in March that Masi had made a “human error” but acted in “good faith”.</p> <p>The FIA said on Tuesday Masi had carried out his various functions “in a professional and dedicated manner” but had decided to return to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges.</p> <p>He was appointed after the sudden death of Charlie Whiting, who had been race director for decades, in Melbourne on the eve of the 2019 season.</p> <p> </p> <p>Read all the <a href=Latest News, Breaking News, watch Top Videos and Live TV here.