Michael Masi after Abu Dhabi: “People were threatening to take care of me and my family”

It was the Grand Prix that turned the season around. On December 12, 2021, Abu Dhabi became the land of the first coronation of Max Verstappen and especially that of the end of the hegemony of Lewis Hamilton. But in addition to the two pilots, one man found himself in the spotlight, Michael Masi. The FIA ​​race director, through his choices on the management of the safety car at the end of the race, was in the sights of many fans. This Sunday, the Australian revealed in an interview with the Daily Telegraph in Sydney that he had received death threats and been insulted following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

« There were dark days. I felt like I was the most hated man on the planet. I received death threats from people who threatened to take care of me and my family “, explains Michael Masi.

Six laps from the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was still in the lead until the FIA ​​race director decided to deploy the safety car to clear debris from the car de Nicholas latifi. The removal of the wreck of the Canadian is late. But the Australian was determined to bring in the safety car before completing the Grand Prix.

So only the drivers sandwiched between the race leader and Max Verstappen were allowed to overtake the safety car in order to offer a final lap recorded forever in the history books. With this decision, Michael Masi was in the sights of many fans. And a few days after the race, the race director feared for his life.

« I started looking over my shoulder" 

« I still remember walking the streets of London a day or two later. I started looking over my shoulder and wondering if the people behind me were going to attack me », Testifies the Australian.

Like Nicholas Latifi, Michael Masi was also the victim of harassment on social networks following the Grand Prix. “ I received hundreds of messages, reveals the 44-year-old Australian. They were offensive, racist, abusive, mean, people called me names. And there were death threats. And it continued, on my Facebook account and especially on LinkedIn, which is supposed to be a professional platform. It was the same kind of insults. »

 « I didn't go see a specialist, but in hindsight I should have consulted, confides Michael Masi, who was worried about his mental health, but chose “ to minimize the situation, including vis-à-vis the FIA. »

Michael Masi's resignation will allow him to return to Australia

Faced with this flood of insults and threats, Michael Masi preferred to withdraw into himself. “ I didn't want to talk to anyone. Not even to my family and friends. I only spoke with my immediate family very briefly. It had a physical impact, but it was more mental. I just wanted to be in a bubble, I had no desire to talk to them. I just wanted to be alone, which was very difficult », Testifies the Australian.

Replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas before the start of the season, the Australian announced his definitive departure from the FIA ​​in July. This decision will allow him to “ return to live in Australia, close to the people who support me », Explains the 44-year-old man.

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