Michael Masi feared people "were going to get me" after receiving death threats following last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The former Formula 1 race director became the prime target of abuse when his decisions during a late Safety Car allowed Max Verstappen to pass Lewis Hamilton for the win and a first world title.

Masi was later relieved of his role by the FIA and has since left the governing body to return home.

And in his first interview since the events of last December, he opened up on the disgusting messages he received in the aftermath.

"There were some dark days," Masi told The Daily Telegraph.

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"And absolutely, I felt like I was the most hated man in the world. I got death threats. People said they were going to come after me and my family.

"I still remember walking down the street in London a day or two later. I thought I was OK until I started looking over my shoulder.

"I was looking at people wondering if they were going to get me.

"I was confronted with hundreds of messages," he added. "And they were shocking, racist, abusive, vile, they called me every name under the sun and there were death threats.

"And they kept on coming. Not just on my Facebook but also on my LinkedIn, which is supposed to be a professional platform for business. It was the same type of abuse."

The FIA has been criticised for failing to protect Masi following Abu Dhabi, and he explained the personal toll the reaction had on him.

"I didn’t go and talk to a professional," he said. "With the benefit of hindsight, I probably should have.

"I mostly kept it all to myself. I told a few people but not many. I didn’t want to concern my family and friends. I didn’t want them worrying too.

"The FIA knew but I think I downplayed it all to everyone, including them."

Seven months on, however, Masi is ready to move on and start a new chapter in his life.

"The whole experience has made me a much stronger person," he said.

"I have a number of exciting options going forward. I am considering a number of different projects, both domestic and globally.

"My intention is to base myself out of Australia and to use all the skills I have gained in what has been an incredible journey so far and one I am extremely proud and thankful for."