Daniel Ricciardo is not the only Australian working in the high-pressure world of Formula 1®.
Michael Masi is one of the sport’s most influential figures and was appointed Formula 1®’s permanent race director in 2019.
Masi’s motorsport background is extensive and he can look back on his first year in F1® with pride.
THE BACKGROUND
Masi enjoyed a stint with TouringCar Entrants Group Australia (TEGA) before moving to Supercars where he held the role of Operations Assistant from 2005 to 2008.
He then worked with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport and was a Project Director (Consultant) for the Formula 1® Korean Grand Prix.
More roles with Rally Australia and Supercars followed before he was appointed Supercars Deputy Race Director in 2015.
Masi held various roles with the FIA, including being a steward at Grand Prix events, before he was then appointed by the organisation to be a race director for Formula 2 and 3.
The role would also involve some work with then-F1® race director, Charlie Whiting.
A SAD DAY
The Formula 1® community was rocked by the news that Whiting passed away just days before the Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019.
Whiting – a long-time FIA race director and race starter – died from a pulmonary embolism.
Masi stepped into the role at short notice in Melbourne and held the role on a race-to-race basis, before his permanent employment as F1® race director was confirmed after the 2019 British Grand Prix.
ON REFLECTION
“I have enjoyed it … it’s been go, go, go, for obvious reasons,” Masi told Crash.Net in an interview looking back on 2019.
“I’m happy with the job that I’ve done because for me I’ve done the best that I could do and I’ve learnt a huge amount from event to event.
“We all understand and agree that it’s a highly complex industry that we are in but having said that, it’s an industry that I love and enjoy and I couldn’t be more thankful for the support everyone has given me.”
THE REVIEWS
Masi is popular within the F1® world and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said he had done a “really good job” since stepping in for Whiting.
“It’s not been easy for him. In Australia first, with no advice, he had to jump into the role,” Binotto was quoted as telling the New York Times.
“Since then, he’s been doing a really good job. From a race director’s point of view, I don’t think there have been any mistakes.”
THE TOUGHEST EVENT OF 2019
“What happened in Melbourne was a hugely sad, unfortunate set of circumstances on a number of levels,” Masi added to Crash.Net.
“I’ve been asked of late what my toughest event of the year was and by far it was Melbourne.
“But overall, I couldn’t have got through this year [2019] without the team of people I have immediately around me at the FIA and the support I received there, our partners at F1 group and … all the operational guys, they have all supported and assisted me.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Masi will again be Formula 1® race director in 2020, starting off with his home Grand Prix.
The role of race director is hugely important, with Masi responsible for ensuring that all FIA regulations are upheld by teams and tracks every race weekend.
Masi’s relationships with key figures at each team are vital, too, but the Australian has clearly made a good impression in that regard.
Michael Masi is one of the sport’s most influential figures and was appointed Formula 1®’s permanent race director in 2019.
Masi’s motorsport background is extensive and he can look back on his first year in F1® with pride.
THE BACKGROUND
Masi enjoyed a stint with TouringCar Entrants Group Australia (TEGA) before moving to Supercars where he held the role of Operations Assistant from 2005 to 2008.
He then worked with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport and was a Project Director (Consultant) for the Formula 1® Korean Grand Prix.
More roles with Rally Australia and Supercars followed before he was appointed Supercars Deputy Race Director in 2015.
Masi held various roles with the FIA, including being a steward at Grand Prix events, before he was then appointed by the organisation to be a race director for Formula 2 and 3.
The role would also involve some work with then-F1® race director, Charlie Whiting.
A SAD DAY
The Formula 1® community was rocked by the news that Whiting passed away just days before the Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019.
Whiting – a long-time FIA race director and race starter – died from a pulmonary embolism.
Masi stepped into the role at short notice in Melbourne and held the role on a race-to-race basis, before his permanent employment as F1® race director was confirmed after the 2019 British Grand Prix.
ON REFLECTION
“I have enjoyed it … it’s been go, go, go, for obvious reasons,” Masi told Crash.Net in an interview looking back on 2019.
“I’m happy with the job that I’ve done because for me I’ve done the best that I could do and I’ve learnt a huge amount from event to event.
“We all understand and agree that it’s a highly complex industry that we are in but having said that, it’s an industry that I love and enjoy and I couldn’t be more thankful for the support everyone has given me.”
THE REVIEWS
Masi is popular within the F1® world and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said he had done a “really good job” since stepping in for Whiting.
“It’s not been easy for him. In Australia first, with no advice, he had to jump into the role,” Binotto was quoted as telling the New York Times.
“Since then, he’s been doing a really good job. From a race director’s point of view, I don’t think there have been any mistakes.”
THE TOUGHEST EVENT OF 2019
“What happened in Melbourne was a hugely sad, unfortunate set of circumstances on a number of levels,” Masi added to Crash.Net.
“I’ve been asked of late what my toughest event of the year was and by far it was Melbourne.
“But overall, I couldn’t have got through this year [2019] without the team of people I have immediately around me at the FIA and the support I received there, our partners at F1 group and … all the operational guys, they have all supported and assisted me.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Masi will again be Formula 1® race director in 2020, starting off with his home Grand Prix.
The role of race director is hugely important, with Masi responsible for ensuring that all FIA regulations are upheld by teams and tracks every race weekend.
Masi’s relationships with key figures at each team are vital, too, but the Australian has clearly made a good impression in that regard.
No comments:
Post a Comment