F1 drops race director Michael Masi after contentious season finale in Abu Dhabi

Michael Masi, the man accused of robbing Lewis Hamilton of an eighth world championship, has been dropped as Formula One race director.

The news was confirmed by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem two months and five days after last campaign’s contentious season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton said the race was “manipulated” after Masi seemed to bend the rules to allow the British driver’s rival Max Verstappen the chance to win the title following a late safety car.

Masi, who is set to be offered a new position within the FIA, will be replaced by Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich.

The duo are set to alternate the role and they will be supported by former race director Charlie Whiting’s deputy, 73-year-old Herbie Blash.

Ben Sulayem, who was elected as president just days after the debacle in the desert, revealed the sport would adopt a Video Assistant Referee system – similar to the one seen in football – and said communication between the pit wall and the race director would no longer be aired live on television.

“I would like to inform you that a new race management team will be put in place,” said Ben Sulayem in a video posted to social media.

“Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as Formula One race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA.”

In the final stages of the season finale on December 12, Masi appeared to bend the rules when he ordered only the lapped cars between Hamilton and second-placed Verstappen through, providing the Dutchman – on fresh tyres – a shot at passing Hamilton, who was on old rubber.

Verstappen won and claimed his maiden title. Hamilton’s Mercedes team lodged and then dropped their appeal against the result in a reported