“Toxic” social media blamed for Michael Masi’s departure | FIA were “always supportive"

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has blamed social media for forcing Michael Masi to leave his role as race director for the 2022 F1 season.
Michael Masi (AUS) FIA Race Director on the
Michael Masi (AUS) FIA Race Director on the

Masi’s role became untenable after his poor handling of the 2021 title decider in 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Abu Dhabi between 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton.

The Australian failed to follow the sporting regulations with how the race ended be꧟hind the Safety Car, giving Verstappen an easy opportunity to overtake Hamilton on the final lap at the Yas Marina Circuit and thus claim his maiden F1 world championship.

Remote video URL

Masi left his post as race director ahead of the new season, ulꦉtimately being replaced by two new 🧜race directors - Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich.

Initially, Masi was moved to another role with▨in the FIA before deciding to leave the organisation, moving back to his native ♛Australia.

Speaking to the media at the Dakar📖 Rally, Ben Sulayem spoke about Mas❀i’s departure.

“I’d been talking to him at the beginning. There were human errors there, and I felt that he also wanted to just not go further, because of what he got from social media, the🦂 toxic social media.&nౠbsp;

"I spoke to ไhim, and it was unfair also for him. The FIA was always supportive."

The FIA launched its own “drive it out campaign” in Hungary last year꧃.

The initiative came afte🎐r growing concerns about toxicity on social media, particularly as later in the year, steward Silvia Bellot was abused⛦ following the United States Grand Prix.

Mohammed Bin Sulayem (UAE) FIA President. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 22, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit,
Mohammed Bin Sulayem (UAE) FIA President. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 22, Abu Dhabi Grand…

Ben Sulayem believes the FIA and F1 must take a stance against “toxic social media” to ensure it doesn’🔜t damage the sport as a whole. 

“This is the same thin🐲g that’s happening to Silvia [Bellot, FIA steward], again to some of our members: threats,” Ben Sulayem added.

"I got some t🎶hreats also, to re𒉰verse the results, but I didn’t take them seriously.

“But🃏 now we stand against the toxic social media that will affect our sport. 

"I am a big believer that if 🐷we don’t take a stand, we might find the damage will be beyond repair for our sport in the future."

Read More