Former F1 Race Director Michael Masi has released a statement of his own post the news of him leaving FIA came to light on Tuesday evening.
Months after the FIA hired Neils Wittich and Eduardo Freitas as new F1 Race Directors from 2022 season replacing Masi on the job, the governing body confirmed his departure from any work within the organisation on Tuesday evening.
The FIA stated that Masi has decided to leave them and relocate to Australia where he will be closer to his family and take on new work. After months of silence, the Australian has his first statement which more as a thank you note for 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’s unexpected and tragic passing in Melbourne 2019,” Masi said in a statement to Speedcafe.com.
“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 that 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 that 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.
“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.
“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 that I will forever cherish,” summed up Masi, who decided to stay away from the controversial topic which seemingly ended his FIA stint.
Here’s the statement from FIA