F1 in a bit of a pickle: Could Michael Masi return as both race directors cannot fly to Miami

Formula 1 is dangerously low on race directors ahead of next weekend's inaugural and highly anticipated first race on the streets of Miami.

With Michael Masi ousted over the 2021 championship finale debacle, his two replacements, Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich have tested positive for Covid.Masi was removed as Formula One race director earlier in February due to the management of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year which led to Max Verstappen being controversially crowned world champion.READ | Michael Masi gets the chop by FIA as race director for Abu Dhabi GP managementMasi was heavily criticised for the sequence of events that led to Verstappen passing Lewis Hamilton to deprive the Briton of a record eighth title. The former director has not yet even been mentioned as an option.

L'Equipe said the rumour has blown "a small wind of panic" through Formula 1, as the pair cannot even travel to the United States until they test negative.

An FIA spokesperson would not confirm the news to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo because divulging medical information about staff is not allowed "unless it is relevant to the development of an event".

That would imply that the sport's governing body is not worried that the problem could affect the race in Miami.

Race director assistant and F1 veteran Herbie Blash and Colin Haywood are named potential short-term replacements.

L'Equipe, however, said Blash and Haywood "do not have FIA race director certification", so the job could instead be passed to DTM race director Scott Elkins.