Michael Massi removed as F1 race director

Even though the 2022 Formula 1 season will begin next month, it seems the controversies following the final race of the 2021 season are far from over.

Newly appointed FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem announced that Michael Masi has been removed as F1 race director as part of a restructure within the governing body’s analysis into the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

With Masi no longer the race director, the FIA announced that Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who have recently worked in the World Endurance Championship and DTM respectively, will alternate between the role this 2022 season. In addition to Wittich and Freitas, F1 veteran Herbie Blash, who was the deputy race director under former director Charlie Whiting, will assist them as a permanent senior advisor.

The new trio will begin their roles in Barcelona next week when pre-season testing officially begins. Meanwhile, Masi won’t be completely out of the FIA yet. According to the FIA, he will be offered a new position within the organization.

“With this plan, FIA opens the way for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing. Without the referees, there is no sport. Respect and support of the referees are in the essence of the FIA. That is why these structural changes are crucial in a context of strong development and the legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organizers, and of course, the fans,” said Sulayem.

As part of the structural changes, the FIA announced that a Virtual Race Control Room will be created to assist the race director. Direct communications between teams and the race director will no longer be allowed as well. However, teams can still ask questions to the race director, “according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process”. Lastly, the FIA says unlapping procedures behind the safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission before the start of the season.

With all the changes happening both with teams and the FIA, it seems the 2022 Formula 1 season will be an exciting one. We can’t wait for the first race to start this March.

What do you think of the FIA's decision to drop Masi? Was it the right call, or should he still remain race director? Let us know in the comments.