Michael Masi, who took over as FIA race director following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting on the eve of the 2019 F1 season, has been told he will continue in the role for at least the rest of the year.
“Following a meeting with president Jean Todt yesterday he’s advised me and the FIA team that I will be continuing in the role until the end of the 2019 season,” Masi confirmed following the British Grand Prix.Prior to Whiting’s death, Masi was being lined up as a potential future replacement for the long-serving race director. He was already set to serve as the FIA’s deputy race director at selected Formula 1 races this year, and perform the role of race director for Formula 2 and Formula 3 rounds.
This article will be updated.
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Phylyp (@phylyp)
14th July 2019, 18:07
I wish the FIA would just issue a statement that Masi is the ‘FIA race director’. None of this stringing along as “acting” or “until end of year”.
I have not read or heard of any reason why the FIA would even consider someone else, and Masi has done a capable job, not to mention that he was lined up as a successor to Charlie in any event.
Just commit to the man already, and throw the weight/authority of the FIA behind him in making that statement.
Aapje (@aapje)
14th July 2019, 20:10
This is the smart move though. If he makes major mistakes, they can drop him with minimal loss of face for both the FIA and Masi. If he does well, they can give him the job permanently.
lunaslide (@lunaslide)
14th July 2019, 22:15
@phylyp, @aapje I think that lends credence to Phylyp’s point, though. This is the kind of wishy washy crap we’re tired of from the FIA again. It’s particularly important in racing for the race director to have the full support of the governing body behind them in the eyes of the teams and drivers. There’s no reason to believe there is any other candidate for the job, especially when Masi is literally Whiting’s hand picked successor who has been groomed for the position. To play the smart, I would say cynical, move is more passive/aggressive decision making from the FIA that weakens their authority.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
15th July 2019, 13:06
@lunaslide – that is indeed what I meant, thank you for explaining it very nicely as well.
Levente (@leventebandi)
14th July 2019, 19:01
Well he made a great call to deter the race to a favourable result for liberty media, no one would question his place.
Nick Wyatt (@nickwyatt)
14th July 2019, 20:51
Good. He seems to be doing a fine job – particularly having taken over at very short notice in difficult circumstances.
Dale
14th July 2019, 22:08
He’s been rubbish, so obviously he would be retained. F1 true to form.
Rhys Lloyd (@justrhysism)
15th July 2019, 4:03
Rubbish? How?
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
15th July 2019, 0:11
It was nice to see Whiting’s son on the starting gantry. A nice touch. You never know, they might train him up one day to continue the legacy.