A fresh job, effective immediately
Five years after the night that cost him his F1 job, Michael Masi has a senior title again. The former Formula 1 race director has been named sporting director of SRO Motorsports Australia. The appointment takes effect straight away.
The organisation runs GT World Challenge Australia, one of the categories in the Shannons SpeedSeries network. Masi will oversee the regulations, race officials and stewards. He will also be tasked with bringing the Australian operation into line with SRO’s global procedures.
The handover is already under way. Masi will attend the final two rounds of the 2026 season, in Sydney and then Adelaide, before taking over fully in 2027. He succeeds Abi Hay, who has held the job for three years.
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What Masi said
“It is a hugely exciting opportunity to be part of the next chapter at SRO Motorsports Australia, and I am looking forward to continuing the excellent work already done by the team, especially Abi,” said the Australian.
He added that the Australian GT scene has been moving forward steadily and that he plans to build on that platform. His aim is clear: put in place initiatives that benefit drivers, teams and partners.
Ben McMellan, SRO Motorsports Australia’s managing director, described it as a smart appointment. He pointed to the decades Masi has spent in senior roles across motorsport.
Abu Dhabi 2021 still hangs over him
Masi is still best known for one night. As F1 race director from 2019 to 2021, he handled the closing stages of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a way that sparked plenty of controversy.
His interpretation of the safety car rules allowed Max Verstappen, on fresher tyres, to pass Lewis Hamilton on the final lap. The Dutchman took the title, while the Brit missed out on a record eighth crown.
The FIA launched an investigation. Masi was removed from the role soon after. He later returned to Australia, where he has held several positions in Australian and New Zealand motorsport. This new job marks another step in that rebuild.
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