Infotainment Factory: Outcast Formula 1 chief lands Supercars gig

Formula 1 exile Michael Masi will make a return to the Supercars paddock in a new capacity, replacing Neil Crompton as chairman of the Supercars Commission effective immediately.

The Supercars Commission is charged with deliberating sporting and technical matters before making recommendations to the Supercars board.

It's Masi's first job since his unceremonious departure from Formula 1 following the controversial championship-deciding 2021 finale.

Masi is well known in the Supercars fraternity, having been the deputy race director to Tim Schenken for several years.

In 2018, the Sydneysider was appointed deputy race director for the FIA Formula 2 Championship and FIA Formula 3 Championship.

Masi spent several years as the late Charlie Whiting's understudy in the deputy Formula 1 race director position, sharing the role with Scot Elkins.

When Whiting suddenly died in 2019 just days out from the Australian Grand Prix, Masi was thrust into the race director role.

Masi's tenure would last just three years and was littered with controversies, none more high profile than the 2021 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The well-documented closer saw Masi make a decisive call to let just a handful of cars un-lap themselves under safety car conditions with just over one lap to go.

That set up a one-lap dash to the chequered flag, allowing Red Bull's Max Verstappen to pass Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and seal his first Formula 1 title.

The dramatic scenes were investigated by the FIA, the sport's governing body, and Masi was duly cast aside.

Since then, Masi has been replaced by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who share the role as race director.

Masi was offered another position with the FIA, which he declined, before returning to Australia.

"I view this role as continuing the amazing work already done by Neil and the Commission to lead Supercars into a brand new era with the introduction of the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang," Masi said.

"I'm very proud to have been appointed to this role and look forward to working with the key stakeholders in the sport to ensure the future is an exciting one for our teams, partners, sponsors and most importantly the fans."

Supercars CEO Shane Howard added: "I am delighted the commission has appointed Michael to this important position for the sport.

"The role of commission chair needs to be an independent, strong and robust leader. They need to effectively manage the commission and its process, broker compromise where required and be a good communicator.

"Michael has worked closely and industriously with Supercars team owners, principals and stakeholders for many years and returns to Australia with vast experience and leadership which will be invaluable in guiding our sport into the future.

"I have met very few people with such an extensive understanding of the industry combined with an amazing passion. Michael will be a great successor to Neil who did such an outstanding job.

"We welcome Michael back to the pinnacle of racing here in Australia and look forward to working closely with him in his role as Chair of the Commission."

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