205 replies to this topic

[Rodaknee]

In the spirit of Where's Wally?

 

There have been no sightings of Michael Masi since the last *race* of 2021.  He's supposed have been given a new job in F1.  With the season starting today, let's see who spots him first.

 

This could be a season long competition!

 

[teejay]

is there cameras in the RBR VIP section?

 

 

/stir 

[Szoelloe]

I would suggest closing this thread, it will lead nowhere.

[Rodaknee]

I would suggest closing this thread, it will lead nowhere.

Humour bypass noted.

[JimmyClark]

He's probably the new VAR steward

Edited by JimmyClark, 18 March 2022 - 08:20.

[KevR]

He's been given a 'career advancement' opportunity. Look out for the Sakhir marshalls waving the flags at the side of the track and you might be able to spot him.

[D1rtyHarry]

Spirit of Where's Wally? Does anyone here still remember Where's Whitmarsh?

[Baddoer]

But where is Ross Brown?

[Cliff]

Croydon?

[owenmahamilton]

Hopefully down his local job centre.

[d246]

But where is Ross Brown?

Teaching Ron Dennis to fly fish.

[Rodaknee]

Spirit of Where's Wally? Does anyone here still remember Where's Whitmarsh?

Oops, more proof I've never had an original idea.

[ARTGP]

[OvDrone]

[HeadFirst]

Teaching Ron Dennis to fly fish.

 

Is that the same as trout tossing?

[Scaboo22]

He’ll be back as race director in a few years. As he should.

[Fastcake]

The only race directing Michael Masi will be doing is directing race fans to their seats in the grandstands.

[flyboym3]

Does the FIA have a garden?

[FLB]

Does the FIA have a garden?

Yes. Laurent Mékies tended to his for three months before he went to his new Ferrari office.

[PLAYLIFE]

I have it from a close source Masi is looking to exit from his current employer.

[Marklar]

He is where Martin Whitmarsh was before him

[CSF]

He is where Martin Whitmarsh was before him

 

 

What if they are actually the same person and only one form can come out at once and Yabby Dabby was Whitmarsh's revenge for leaving in 2012? I think I've cracked it. 

[JimmyClark]

I have it from a close source Masi is looking to exit from his current employer.

 

I wouild if I was him. He was treated absolutely shoddily; fired through political pressure, when being given more support would have been the recommended course of action. 

 

I've yet to see anything to suggest the new set-up is any better (see: GP2 in Saudi). 

 

I remember waay back in '99 Benetton were looking at hiring Charlie Whiting, which caused a bit of a stink as he was privy to all the tech secrets of the teams. It never happened, but Charlie would have been a good appointment given his technical background as a mechanic. As far as I know, Masi has always been in race direction and not on the team side of things (again, just proving what a waste his sacking was, given how few people are that qualified for the role), but it would be interesting to see if any teams fancy hiring him. 

 

Personally, if I was the FIA and his position was so untenable as race director, I would put him in charge of general safety and circuit homogolation, so the new pairing can concentrate on the race weekend duties. 

Edited by JimmyClark, 08 April 2022 - 18:09.

[pdac]

I wouild if I was him. He was treated absolutely shoddily; fired through political pressure, when being given more support would have been the recommended course of action. 

 

I've yet to see anything to suggest the new set-up is any better (see: GP2 in Saudi). 

 

I remember waay back in '99 Benetton were looking at hiring Charlie Whiting, which caused a bit of a stink as he was privy to all the tech secrets of the teams. It never happened, but Charlie would have been a good appointment given his technical background as a mechanic. As far as I know, Masi has always been in race direction and not on the team side of things (again, just proving what a waste his sacking was, given how few people are that qualified for the role), but it would be interesting to see if any teams fancy hiring him. 

 

Personally, if I was the FIA and his position was so untenable as race director, I would put him in charge of general safety and circuit homogolation, so the new pairing can concentrate on the race weekend duties. 

 

I think he put the FIA and the whole of F1 in a very embarrassing and potentially costly situation - I don't think it's at all shoddy for them to then move him sideways. He was not doing the FIA's bidding when he made a lot of those decisions - he was taking upon himself to try to resolve situations. I'm sure he had the best intentions, but he's the one that ended up causing a PR disaster for them all.

[Rodaknee]

I wouild if I was him. He was treated absolutely shoddily; fired through political pressure, when being given more support would have been the recommended course of action. 

 

I've yet to see anything to suggest the new set-up is any better (see: GP2 in Saudi). 

 

I remember waay back in '99 Benetton were looking at hiring Charlie Whiting, which caused a bit of a stink as he was privy to all the tech secrets of the teams. It never happened, but Charlie would have been a good appointment given his technical background as a mechanic. As far as I know, Masi has always been in race direction and not on the team side of things (again, just proving what a waste his sacking was, given how few people are that qualified for the role), but it would be interesting to see if any teams fancy hiring him. 

 

Personally, if I was the FIA and his position was so untenable as race director, I would put him in charge of general safety and circuit homogolation, so the new pairing can concentrate on the race weekend duties. 

Amongst the numerous cockups Masi was responsible for during his too long tenure was at least one incident where the put the lives of track side marshalls at risk.  Allowing him anywhere near track safety would be a joke.  He's far too incompetent to be allowed anywhere near a circuit.  F1 is well rid of him.

[FortiFord]

Some quotes from Toto:

 

(The part in bold might explain Masi's "It's called a motor race...we went car racing" response to Toto.)

 

"It is quite interesting because I had lunch with him [Masi] on the Wednesday before the race, and I said to him that 'I really want to tell you, without patronising you, that you need to take criticism on board and develop from there. Lewis does it every day, but you are a guy who always seems to know better',"

 

"You hear from the drivers and how the drivers' briefings were conducted [by Masi] and some of the guys said it was almost disrespectful how he treated some of them.

 

"He was just immune to any feedback and even today he has not properly reflected that he did something wrong.

 

"He was a liability for the sport because everybody kept talking about Abu Dhabi and the race director, and the race director should not be somebody that people talk about, but someone who does the job and makes sure the race is run according to the regulations."

 

Source: https://www.skysport...spected-drivers

 

Edited by FortiFord, 11 April 2022 - 10:52.

[Muppetmad]

I can't say Wolff is wrong in this case: Masi's indignant response to (very fairly) being blamed for the carnage at Mugello in 2020 was embarrassing.

[as65p]

Some quotes from Toto:

 

(The part in bold might explain Masi's "It's called a motor race...we went car racing" response to Toto.)

If that's really what Wolff said, I kind of understand Masis behaviour. Toto ain't the smartest psychlogist if he thinks telling people straight up that they're doing it all wrong and even his driver knows better will win him any favours. That might work with his employees, as they basically got no choice but to nod devotely, but not with someone who has authority over his team on race weekends. 

 

Plus on a broader scale, having dinner with the race director discussing the upcoming all-deciding race weekend? Nah, not the slightest bit trying to influence procedures as much as possible... kind of ironic how it ultimately not only failed but backfired so massively.

[Eyeshield]

He’ll be back as race director in a few years. As he should.

Agreed, Masi will be a worthy addition to the new Mario Kart series.

[Colbul1]

For Wolff having lunch with Masi on the Wednesday before Abu Dhabi, that seems a rather sensible thing to do to me.  Clear the air, discuss the clear misgivings from the way Brazil and Saudi Arabia's races had been handled and look to the final race of the season with a clean slate and hopefully both sides pulling in the same direction.  Seems reasonable except once again Masi lost control and made it up as he went along in the end.

[as65p]

For Wolff having lunch with Masi on the Wednesday before Abu Dhabi, that seems a rather sensible thing to do to me.  Clear the air, discuss the clear misgivings from the way Brazil and Saudi Arabia's races had been handled and look to the final race of the season with a clean slate and hopefully both sides pulling in the same direction.  Seems reasonable except once again Masi lost control and made it up as he went along in the end.

I'm sure that's pretty close to how Wolff thinks. Only that a specific team boss (of many) and the race director should never "pull in the same direction", ever.

[le chat noir]

I know it says they won't use Masi, but what better thread to add this to.

 

And if they say they won't, yet lots are positive, then surely they will. This is F1 after all.

 

 

Both race directors have Covid:

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/61256991

 

Would give him a chance at least to throw a safety car at the end, ask all cars to drop behind car 44, and resume racing on the last lap. Might not be an 8th title, but it's the only way he's claiming outright the record for most consecutive seasons (it would be 16) with a win...

[ARTGP]

Kimi for preside....ehh I mean race director!!

Edited by ARTGP, 28 April 2022 - 15:05.

[ElDictatore]

In an effort to secure more funding, Zak Brown is renting out the MTC lake to the FIA to dispose of anyone quietly.

[MaxCrazyEddieCayer]

Where’s Masi ? He’s having dinner with Toto as I write this.

[Tenmantaylor]

Croydon?

Given Lewis penchant for avoiding Croydon, Masi must be lying low there.

[Tenmantaylor]

What Toto told him was right.

And probably why Masi stuck it to him at the end of the race.

"We did a motor race Toto"

Was Masi's "F you Toto, you can't criticise the race director, I can do what I want! Watch me hand the title to Max".

Edited by Tenmantaylor, 29 April 2022 - 07:37.

[Dolph]

Kimi for preside....ehh I mean race director!!

 

That could work...

 

TP: "We don't need a safety car for that, just a local yellow"

 

KR: "Leave me alone, I know what I'm doing"

[absinthedude]

With Ross Brown in the official FIA garden.

[Rodaknee]

He could be back in charge next week!

 

F1 race directors test positive for Covid-19 prior to Miami GP

 

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/61256991

Edited by Rodaknee, 29 April 2022 - 16:47.

[Cliff]

He could be back in charge next week!

F1 race directors test positive for Covid-19 prior to Miami GP


https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/61256991

Doubt it, they’ll probably rather put an experienced steward in charge than open that can of worms..

[chrcol]

He could be back in charge next week!

 

F1 race directors test positive for Covid-19 prior to Miami GP

 

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/61256991

 

Already is a plan, will direct the race remotely.

[BCNF1]

Drinking Redbull at home with his wife.

[BRG]

Drinking Redbull at home with his wife.

I hope you are not hinting that he has a life-time supply of Red Bull in his basement? 

 

Although giving me a life-time supply wouldn't cost Red Bull a sou as I would never touch the muck. (Nor any other 'energy drink', except maybe the elusive and legendary Rich Energy, also known as the Elixir of Eternal Life)

[Maustinsj]

Also known as “Beard Juice”.

[absinthedude]

Maybe he's going to be the new marketing manager for Rich Energy?

[MJB5990]

Not sure I expected such a public statement.

 

The FIA confirms that Michael Masi has decided to leave the FIA and relocate to Australia to be closer to his family and take on new challenges. He oversaw a three-year period as FIA Formula 1 Race Director and Safety Delegate following the sudden passing of Charlie Whiting in 2019, carrying out the numerous functions he was tasked with in a professional and dedicated manner. The FIA thanks him for his commitment and wishes him the best for the future.

 

 

Source - https://www.fia.com/...masis-departure

[macjim]

Probably for the best, there was no way he could have come back.

[OneAndOnly]

In the spirit of Where's Wally?

 

There have been no sightings of Michael Masi since the last *race* of 2021.  He's supposed have been given a new job in F1.  With the season starting today, let's see who spots him first.

 

This could be a season long competition!

You ask because you miss him or?

[MaxisOne]

Not sure I expected such a public statement.

 

 

Source - https://www.fia.com/...masis-departure

Good Riddance.