Masi removal from FIA race director role "devastating" - Motorsport Australia

Masi was replaced by the FIA after the controversial ending to the 2021 championship

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 22 February 2022 10:35

Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca has described the situation surrounding Michael Masi's removal as FIA race director as "disappointing and devastating".

Masi was replaced with Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich as part of measures introduced by F1's governing body after the controversial ending to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi.

Despite scrutiny over Masi's position, many in the paddock believe the Australian was overworked and suggested he should have been given additional support, something his successors have been provided with the reinstatement of advisor Herbie Blash.

Speaking to Speedcafe, Arocca explained: “He’s a personal friend.

“I’ve known him as long as I’ve been involved in motorsport, which goes back 10 years, and we’ve become good buddies.

“So it’s personally disappointing and devastating for me to see what has occurred.

“I’ve got to be very mindful that I’m not part of a process, I wasn’t privy to the information that was being considered by the FIA, but on a personal level if you see a mate, and particularly an Australian, have to go through what he’s gone through, I’ve got a certain amount of empathy and disappointment and frustration and anger.”

Masi is an "elite talent" - Motorsport Australia

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Masi spent time with the Australian Supercars before taking office with the FIA and asked if Motorsport Australia would attempt to lure him back given his situation, Arocca said: “We would love to tap into his knowledge at any level.

“He’s just an elite talent that would be wasted to the sport if he’s not used in some capacity, and so we’ll keep an open mind.

“At the moment, we’re obviously concentrating on the year ahead, and when he’s decided what he wants to do, no doubt amongst many others, he’ll be contacted by not only us but by others.

“He’s just such, I’ll use the word elite. He’s officiated for three years in one of the most public, high-pressure sporting events with an element of danger in the world, and he’s done it during a pandemic with significant levels of travel, stress, other duties, and in my view that stands well on his resume for any employer anywhere in the world.”