Sacked Aussie rejects F1 reach out

CONTROVERSIAL Australian race director Michael Masi is likely to walk away from Formula One for good, despite an apparent backflip by world motorsport’s new boss.

In an interview which raised eyebrows along pitlane ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem claimed Masi could yet return to his role as race director, despite being sacked following last year’s controversial world title finish.

But Masi is back in Australia negotiating a termination settlement from Formula One and he has no desire to return to the sport that banished him over his handling of last year’s world title finale.

The development over Masi’s future contradicts recent claims from Ben Sulayem that the Australian could get his job back as he looks to expand to at least three race directors in 2023.

“I didn’t get rid of Michael. He had a personal overload (of work) – safety delegate as well as race director. He made a mistake. It is not as if we said it is the end of Masi with the FIA,” Ben Sulayem told Sportsmail in his first interview since becoming FIA boss last December.

“I don’t know Michael very well. The decision (to sack him as race director) was made by the World Council. It was human error on Michael’s part.

“I spoke to him two days ago. I have no personal issue (with him). I don’t hate anyone. Michael is there and we might use him. I didn’t say we were getting rid of him. He may be in a good place to use. We are open to everything.”

Masi was replaced by two race directors, Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, in February and Ben Sulayem believes F1 may need a third option.

Wittich has controlled the opening seven races of the F1 season, but Freitas will make his debut in Barcelona.