A few hours after his farewell to the FIA was made official, Michael Masi – former Formula 1 race director – wanted to thank the people and institutions he has had to deal with over the last few years.
He did so with an open letter published overnight after he announced he had left the International Automobile Federation and returned to Australia to be closer to his family and embark on a new business adventure.
“It has been a pleasure and an honor to represent the FIA as Sporting Director of the single-seaters and Race Director and Safety Delegate of the FIA Formula 1 after the unexpected and tragic death of Charlie in Melbourne 2019”.
“After working on various projects around the world with the Federation and its member clubs for over a decade prior to my appointment, I have decided to leave the organization and return to Australia to be closer to my family and friends. “.
“I am proud to have collaborated for many years with the various member clubs of the FIA, with the Formula 1 Group, with the competitors, promoters and managers of the circuits and with my colleagues and my team within the FIA. I will always do treasure these long-lasting relationships and friendships that I have developed over the course of my journey to date. “
“In particular, I am eternally grateful to Herbie Blash and the late Charlie Whiting for identifying me as a future successor in 2018, a role I looked forward to following and learning from Charlie for many years before his shocking passing. my sincere appreciation for the support and guidance during my tenure from former FIA President Jean Todt, Stefano Domenicali and my dedicated FIA single-seater team. “
“I extend my appreciation to the tens of thousands of Volunteers and Race Officials who allow motorsports to take place all over the world every day, as the safety of competitors and race officials has always remained my top priority.”
“I thank the President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and his presidential team for their personal support since the appointment and I wish them the best for the future.”
Michael Masi, FIA
Photo by: Erik Junius
“The personal support of my family, friends and colleagues around the world throughout this journey and particularly in the past few months can only be described as overwhelming and something I will cherish forever.”
Masi had already returned to Australia since April while continuing to work for the FIA. Yesterday came the press release from the Federation which formalized the separation from the former race director of Formula 1.
The FIA confirms that Michael Masi has decided to leave the FIA and move to Australia to be closer to his family and face new professional challenges – reads the press release – He oversaw three years as FIA Formula 1 Race Director and Delegate for Security following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting in 2019, carrying out the many functions entrusted to him professionally and with dedication. The FIA thanks him for his commitment and wishes him the best for his future ”.
Michael Masi had become Formula 1 race director from the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, the grand prix in which Charlie Whiting, historic FIA member who had held that role for years, had lost his life.
From that moment Masi replaced Whiting for the following three years, but ended his adventure in that role at the end of last season after the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last act of the 2021 World Championship which saw Max Verstappen triumph over Lewis Hamilton. on the last lap.
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