Formula One race director Michael Masi sacked

Australian Michael Masi has been replaced as Formula One race director, the head of the sport’s governing body said on Thursday, with Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas to share the role.

On the way out: Formula One race director Michael Masi.Credit:Getty Images

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem presented the changes as part of a reform of race direction and refereeing, which will also include setting up a virtual race control room and reassessment of safety car lapping procedures.

Masi altered the safety car procedure in last season’s final race, moving only the lapped cars between drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen out of the way.

This allowed the Dutchman, on fresher tyres, to pass the Briton to take the title on the last lap.

Niels Wittich is a former German Touring Car Masters (DTM) race director, while Eduardo Freitas is World Endurance Championship race director.

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