February 17, (THEWILL) – The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of motor sport, stated on Thursday that Michael Masi will no longer be Formula One Race director as part of a shake-up following last year’s Abu Dhabi GP fiasco.
The federation announced that WEC race director Eduardo Freitas will take his position, as will former DTM driver Niels Wittich, who has already been named Masi’s deputy for the season. They will take turns as race directors, with Charlie Whiting’s former assistant Herbie Blash assisting them.
After missing out on F1 action since the end of the 2016 season, former Brabham team manager Blash is back as a permanent senior advisor.
Mohammed ben Sulayem, the FIA president, also revealed that race control will be assisted remotely by an off-site FIA facility, which will most likely be based in Geneva and which he compared to the video assistant referee (VAR) system in football.
He also stated that radio contacts between teams and race control will no longer be aired and will be more closely monitored, as well as a review of the unlapping method under safety cars.
In a video released by the FIA, Ben Sulayem stated that his concept was agreed at Monday’s F1 commission meeting in London by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and team managers.
He outlined the adjustments as follows: “Firstly, to assist the race director in the decision-making process, a Virtual Race Control Room will be created.
“Like the Video Assistance Referee, VAR, in football, it will be positioned in one of the FIA offices as a backup outside the circuit. In real-time connection with the FIA F1 race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools.
“Secondly, direct radio communications during the race, currently broadcast live by all TVs, will be removed in order to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully.
“It will still be possible to ask questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process.
“Thirdly, unlapping procedures behind safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season.”
The new race management staff will be in place for the first time at the Barcelona test next week, according to the FIA president.
“Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternatively as race director, assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior advisor.
“Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as F1 race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA.
“I presented this complete plan to the members of the World Motor Sport Council and the Senate who gave their full support.
“With this plan, FIA opens the way for a new step forward in F1 refereeing. Without the referees, there is no sport. Respect and support of the referees is in the essence of the FIA.
“That is why these structural changes are crucial in a context of strong development and the legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organisers, and of course, the fans.”
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
