Masi out as F1 race director after Abu Dhabi GP inquiry

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile removed Michael Masi from his role as race director of Formula 1 following an investigation into the results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced Thursday.

Sulayem said Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich will share the duties once held by Masi, who'll be offered a new position with FIA. The change is part of a restructuring that includes prohibiting radio communication between the teams and the race director.

Max Verstappen won the F1 title in December after a controversial call by Masi forced a thrilling finish between the Red Bull star and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the final race of the 2021 season.

Masi initially said lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen wouldn't be allowed to unlap themselves after a crash by Nicholas Latifi resulted in a safety car on the course. Masi changed his mind following radio complaints from Red Bull and positioned Verstappen right behind Hamilton, who'd established a wide gap on his rival before the crash occurred.