Masi confident in building Australian GT racing<\/p>\n
\nIn an SRO Motorsports statement announcing the chance, Masi said: \u201cThis is an extremely exciting opportunity to be part of the next chapter for SRO Motorsports Australia, and I\u2019m looking forward to continuing the great work that has already been done by the team and particularly Abi. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cGT racing in Australia has been on a steady rise, and I\u2019m confident there is plenty of opportunity to continue building on the strong foundations that have already been established. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to working with everyone involved and hopefully implementing some positive initiatives that can further develop the sport and deliver benefits for competitors, teams and all of our stakeholders.\u201d <\/p>\n
SRO Motorsports Australia chief: Masi appointment a fantastic coup<\/p>\n
\nBen McMellan, CEO of SRO Motorsports Australia, added: \u201cWe are delighted to have someone of Michael\u2019s stature joining SRO Motorsports Australia for the remainder of the 2026 season and beyond. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cMichael brings an enormous amount of experience from decades spent at the in top positions of motorsport, and we\u2019re confident his knowledge and expertise will help take GT racing in Australia to the next level. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhile Michael\u2019s appointment is a fantastic coup for SRO Motorsports Australia, he is also stepping into a strong position that has been built through the tireless efforts of Abi Hay. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe want to thank Abi for everything she has contributed to SRO Motorsports Australia over the past three years. We wouldn\u2019t be in the position we are today without her knowledge, hard-working attitude and dedication, and I have no doubt she will be missed by our team and the wider Australian motorsport community.\u201d <\/p>\n
What happened in Abu Dhabi in 2021?<\/p>\n
\nOne of the most controversial moments in the sport’s history saw Lewis Hamilton<\/a> and Max Verstappen<\/a> enter the last race of the 2021 dead level on points at the top of the championship, meaning that whichever driver finished in front of the other would take the title – either a record eighth for Hamilton or a first for Verstappen.
<\/p>\n \nA Nicholas Latifi<\/a> crash brought out a safety car with just a few laps remaining in the race, with Hamilton leading and Verstappen in second. The stoppage saw the latter pit for fresh tyres while the Brit stayed out, keeping them first and second but putting five lapped cars between them.
<\/p>\n \nUnder most interpretations of the rules, all lapped cars – not just the ones between the two title protagonists – should have been allowed to unlap themselves, with the safety car coming in at the end of the following lap. That would have seen the race end under safety car conditions and handed Hamilton the title.
<\/p>\n \nHowever, in an attempt to finish the season under green flags, Masi instructed only the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves, and pulled the safety car in a lap early.
<\/p>\n \nWith Verstappen on fresh tyres, and Hamilton on well-worn rubber as Mercedes<\/a> banked on the safety car to end the race, the Brit was a sitting duck and was overtaken by his title rival on the final lap to lose the championship in heartbreaking fashion.
<\/p>\n \nThe fallout and subsequent FIA investigation saw Masi removed from his role of race director ahead of the 2022 season. He left the FIA that summer, and has been involved in Australian and New Zealand motorsport in the years since.
<\/p>\n \nREAD MORE: Ferrari F1 boss ‘annoyed’ with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as Maranello crisis deepens<\/a>
<\/p>\n![\"Abu](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1bb0118e96fbca1ac68cf682716c25d9f201d35.jpg\"\/)
Abu Dhabi 2021 ecstasy for Verstappen, agony for Hamilton.<\/p>\n