Formula 1 teams must make the Australian Grand Prix as smooth as possible for the FIA following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting.

That is the request of Haas boss Guenther Steiner after the governing body confirmed Michael Masi would assume the responsibility of race director this weekend in Melbourne.

Tributes have been pouring in for Whiting, who died of a pulmonary embolism aged 66, with many crediting him for the current safety in F1 as well as his openness with drivers in improving the sport.

"We are here to make it happen for the people that need to step in because these are big shoes that need to be filled," said Steiner looking ahead to this weekend.

"In the end, we'll find a solution, there will be meetings to make sure nothing goes through the cracks. What we will be doing is supporting whatever the FIA puts in place for this weekend.

"For this weekend our aim is: if they need our help, we're here to help."

In Masi, the FIA still has a very capable leader of operations as he was part of the stewards' team for last year's Chinese Grand Prix and was the chair of the stewards' just last weekend for the Formula E event in Hong Kong.