Michael Masi says representing the FIA in Formula 1 was a “pleasure and honour” in his first comments since departing.
The former race director was relieved of his roles in F1 before this season amid the fallout from last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where an investigation concluded he made a “human error” in his handling of a late Safety Car period at Yas Marina.
Of course, Masi’s decisions had a major impact on the outcome of the championship as Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton in a final lap shootout to win it all.
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Seven months on, Masi has now decided to leave the FIA altogether and spoke highly of his time with the governing body.
“It has been a pleasure and honour representing the FIA as the single-seater sporting director and FIA Formula 1 race director and safety delegate since Charlie [Whiting’s] unexpected and tragic passing in Melbourne 2019,” he said in a statement to Speedcafe.
“Having worked on various projects around the world with the Federation and its member clubs for over a decade prior to my appointment, I have now decided to leave the organisation and relocate back to Australia to be closer to my family and friends.
“I am proud to have worked in partnership for many years with the various FIA member clubs, Formula 1 Group, the competitors, promoters and circuit operators and my colleagues and team internally at the FIA.
“I will always treasure these lifelong relationships and friendships I have developed throughout 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 was looking forward to shadowing and learning from Charlie for many years prior to his shock passing.
“I also pass on my sincere appreciation for the support and guidance during my tenure of the former FIA president Jean Todt, Stefano Domenicali and my dedicated FIA Single Seater team,” he continued.
“I extend my appreciation to the tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers and officials that allow motorsport to happen each and every day around the world, as the safety of the competitors and officials has always remained my highest priority.
“Thank you to the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his presidential team for their personal support since their appointment and I wish them the best for the future.”
Though Masi did not comment on Abu Dhabi or the fallout since, his final sentence praised those thank those who stood by him.
“The personal support of my family, friends and colleagues globally during this journey and particularly in the last few months can only be described as overwhelming and something I will forever cherish,” he concluded.