Michael Masi has spoken publicly for the primary time since he was faraway from his place as Formulation 1’s race director.
Masi was axed from his function following an FIA overview into the controversial 2021 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and was changed by two rotating race administrators Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich and a distant race management centre for 2022.
He was provided another function by the FIA however earlier this week it was confirmed that Masi had chosen to exit the governing physique and relocate again to Australia to be together with his household and buddies.
Masi spoke for the primary time since his departure to the Australian-based outlet Speedcafe.
“It has been a pleasure and honour representing the FIA because the single-seater sporting director and FIA Formulation 1 race director and security delegate since Charlie’s surprising and tragic passing in Melbourne 2019,” Masi mentioned.
“Having labored on numerous initiatives world wide with the federation and its member golf equipment for over a decade previous to my appointment, I’ve now determined to depart the organisation and relocate again to Australia to be nearer to my household and buddies.
“I’m proud to have labored in partnership for a few years with the varied FIA member golf equipment, Formulation 1 Group, the rivals, promoters and circuit operators and my colleagues and staff internally on the FIA.
“I’ll all the time treasure these lifelong relationships and friendships that I’ve developed all through my journey so far.
“Specifically, I’m eternally grateful to Herbie Blash and the late Charlie Whiting for figuring out me as a future successor in 2018, a job that
I used to be trying ahead to shadowing and studying from Charlie for a few years previous to his shock passing.”
Masi took over Whiting’s place as F1 race director following Whiting’s surprising passing on the eve of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2019.
In its assertion following his exit from the FIA, the governing physique mentioned he had carried out the “quite a few capabilities he was tasked with in an expert and devoted method” previous to his removing.
“I additionally go on my honest appreciation for the assist and steering throughout my tenure of the previous FIA president Jean Todt, Stefano Domenicali, and my devoted FIA single-seater staff,” Masi added.
“I prolong my appreciation to the tens of 1000’s of devoted volunteers and officers that permit motorsport to occur every day world wide, as the security of the rivals and officers has all the time remained my highest precedence.
“Thanks to the [new] FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his presidential staff for his or her private assist since their appointment and I want them the very best for the long run.
“The non-public assist of my household, buddies, and colleagues globally throughout this journey and significantly in the previous few months can solely be described as overwhelming and one thing that I’ll without end cherish.”
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