FIA blame "toxic social media" for Masi F1 exit
FIA blame "toxic social media" for Masi F1 exit
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has denied former F1 race director Michael Masi was forced from his role and has instead blamed social media.
Masi played a key role in the controversial conclusion of the 2021 title fight, with his decisions surrounding a late safety car in the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi allowing Max Verstappen to pass Lewis Hamilton for honours in a last-lap shootout.
The Australian subsequently appeared to be the victim of an FIA restructuring exercise that eventually resulted in motor sport's governing body hiring two new race directors in Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich.
But speaking at the Dakar Rally, Ben Sulayem said of Masi's departure: “It was also his choice.
“I’d been talking to him at the beginning. There were human errors there, and I felt that he also wanted to just not go further, because of what he got from social media, the toxic social media.
READ MORE...F1 drivers handed "personal agenda" warning by FIA
"I spoke to him, and it was unfair also for him. The FIA was always supportive."
Masi and his family were the subject of death threats and were targeted by vile abuse online in the wake of what unfolded 13 months ago.
In November, the FIA announced it would be using AI technology to begin to stamp out toxic behaviour on social media following further death threats to a number of its employees.
This is in addition to the 'Drive it Out' campaign launched at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Referencing other instances of online abuse within the FIA, Ben Sulayem added: “This is the same thing that’s happening to Silvia [Bellot, FIA steward], again to some of our members: threats.
"I got some threats also, to reverse the results, but I didn’t take them seriously.
“But now we stand against the toxic social media that will affect our sport.
"I am a big believer that if we don’t take a stand, we might find the damage will be beyond repair for our sport in the future."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
- 56 minutes ago
F1 2025 Driver Lineup: Big names on the move as half the grid reshuffles for next season
- 1 hour ago
Haas announce Hulkenberg EXIT as F1 star's new team confirmed
- Today 11:27
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- Today 13:59
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
- Today 12:59
F1 News Today: Red Bull star set to QUIT team as F1 driver role CONFIRMED for 2025
- Today 12:38
Related news
FIA boss HITS OUT at 'court of public opinion' after interference allegations
FIA announce crucial top three UPDATE in China after investigating F1 star
FIA CANCEL important drivers' meeting after huge drama in China
Ecclestone's wife signs letter of SUPPORT for under-fire FIA president
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860