Michael Masi has returned to motorsport in his first role since leaving the FIA, having been confirmed as the new independent chair of the Supercars Commission in his native Australia. Former F1 Race Director Masi was replaced in his position in February following months of in-depth internal investigations over the controversial events of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Masi's handling of the Safety Car in the closing laps of that race had a direct impact on the outcome of the Drivers' Championship, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen winning the title after a last-lap pass on Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton. It was announced in February that Masi would be offered a new position within the FIA amid changes at the top level of the sport's race governance, but a statement released in July confirmed that Masi had left the governing body to relocate to Australia.
Masi already has Supercars experience
Masi will take over the Supercars role from Neil Crompton, who ended his decade-long tenure on the Commission earlier this month. Masi's new role is not his first time working in the category, as the Australian was previously an administrator in Supercars. Masi held the role of a deputy race director for Motorsport Australia before joining the FIA as F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting's deputy in 2018. He later became Race Director following Whiting's sudden passing on the eve of the 2019 Australian Grand Prix.
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