Michael Masi lands new motorsport role in New Zealand

Four years after his controversial exit from Formula 1, former FIA Race Director Michael Masi has taken on a new role in New Zealand as the event director for the Repco NextGen NZ Championship. His appointment marks a significant step in his return to a prominent operational position in motorsport.

Why it matters:

Masi's new role represents a major opportunity for New Zealand's national motorsport body to leverage his extensive experience from the pinnacle of the sport. For Masi, it's a return to a key organizational role after years of maintaining a low profile following the intense scrutiny and abuse he faced after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The details:

Motorsport New Zealand has appointed Masi to oversee the race officials and operations team for the championship. His responsibilities will include honing processes and regulations and providing recommendations for best practices as part of the organization's broader strategy to modernize and develop the sport.

Deborah Day, President of Motorsport New Zealand, emphasized the value of his experience, stating it will help "sharpen our systems, elevate our championships, and support our officials."

Masi's first duties will begin in early January, overseeing events including the Allied Petroleum Hampton Downs International and the NAPA 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands. This role follows his recent departure as chairman of the Supercars Commission in mid-2024.

The big picture:

Masi's F1 tenure ended under a cloud following the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where his decision-making during a late Safety Car period directly influenced the championship outcome between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. An FIA investigation later termed it a "human error," finding the race should have ended under the Safety Car. The subsequent wave of controversy and online abuse, including death threats, led to his departure from the FIA and a new race management structure being implemented for the 2022 season.

What's next:

Masi's focus is now on contributing to the development of motorsport in New Zealand. His appointment is a clear attempt by Motorsport New Zealand to apply top-tier expertise to its national series. While he steps away from the global F1 spotlight, his work in New Zealand will be closely watched as a chapter in his post-F1 career and a test case for importing F1-level operational experience into a national championship.