![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/michael-masi-supercars-commiss-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFormer Formula 1 race director Michael Masi has joined the Repco NextGen NZ Championship ahead of the start of the 2026 season, MotorSport New Zealand has announced.<\/p>\n
Masi will oversee a range of national series in New Zealand as the event director, with a focus on \u201censuring the safe, fair, and professional delivery of each round\u201d.<\/p>\n
In addition to his primary responsibilities in the NZ Championship, he will work closely with MotorSport New Zealand to \u201cobserve the sport\u2019s rules, regulations, and operational processes in action and provide expert recommendations to ensure they remain best-practice and fit-for-purpose\u201d.<\/p>\n
Further, he will help contribute to the governing body\u2019s new training and development framework for officials.<\/p>\n
Masi\u2019s appointment at the NZ Championship and his broader role at MotorSport New Zealand come just three months after he stepped down as the chairman at Supercars Commission, a role he had held since mid-2022.<\/p>\n
He will remain a board member at both Karting Australia and Southern Australian Motorsport.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand has an abundantly rich and proud heritage in the sport,\u201d said Masi. \u201cI\u2019m very much looking forward to working in partnership with, and supporting MotorSport New Zealand, Toyota New Zealand and the Repco NextGen NZ Championship to continue building upon and developing the continual improvement of the sport for all participants and stakeholders.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Michael Masi, Supercars Commission Chairman<\/p>\n
Photo by: Mark Horsburgh, Edge Photographics<\/p>\n
Masi previously served as F1\u2019s race director at the FIA but was dismissed following the controversy surrounding the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where his handling of a late safety car period and procedural decisions drew criticism. After leaving the race director role in 2022, he remained briefly at the FIA before parting ways entirely.<\/p>\n
The NZ Championship encompasses a variety of single-seater, touring car and sportscar series. Formula Regional Oceania, the forerunner to the Toyota Racing Series where several current F1 drivers raced early in their careers, serves as the championship\u2019s flagship category.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael\u2019s experience at the highest levels of global motorsport will help us sharpen our systems, elevate our championships, and support our officials,\u201d said MotorSport New Zealand president Deborah Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis appointment is an important step in our broader strategy to modernise, develop capability, and set the sport up for long-term success.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael is an incredible addition to our summer and matches perfectly with our ambition to provide a World Class development championship for our competitors and New Zealand MotorSport,” added Repco NextGen NZ Championship CEO Josie Spillane.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process working with MotorSport New Zealand and Toyota to facilitate his addition as event director showcases what happens when the key stakeholders collaborate to drive the sport forward positively.\u201d<\/p>\n
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