Michael Masi Returns to Senior Role in Australian GT Racing
Former F1 race director Michael Masi joins SRO Motorsports Australia to oversee GT World Challenge racing and steward operations.
Key points
- Michael Masi is named head of sporting for SRO Motorsports Australia, overseeing GT World Challenge rules and stewards.
- Masi will attend the final two rounds of the 2026 season in Sydney and Adelaide before assuming full duties.
- This is Masi's first major motorsport role since leaving the FIA following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy.
The smell of burnt rubber lingers in the memory of every motorsport fan, but for Michael Masi, the scent has carried a different weight for years. After a hiatus that stretched across borders and seasons, the former Formula 1 race director has stepped back into the cockpit of senior management. He is now the head of sporting for SRO Motorsports Australia, a role that places him back at the center of decision-making in one of the world’s premier GT series.
This is not a quiet return to a back-office task. Masi will hold direct authority over rules, regulations, and the stewards who police the track. His mandate is to synchronize the local Shannons SpeedSeries with global standards, ensuring that the pace of GT World Challenge Australia matches the precision of the international grid. It is a tangible, high-stakes position that demands immediate attention to detail and operational discipline.
Masi Takes Charge of GT Operations
The transition is immediate and physical. Masi will be present for the final two rounds of the 2026 season, standing on the pit wall in Sydney and Adelaide. He is taking the reins from Abi Hay, who is returning to Europe to manage the Intercontinental GT Challenge. This handover marks a shift in leadership philosophy, bringing a global perspective to the local circuit.
Ben McMellan, the CEO of SRO Motorsports Australia, called the move a "fantastic coup." He emphasized that Masi brings decades of top-level experience to a series that is currently on a steady rise. The goal is clear: to build on the strong foundations already laid and push Australian GT racing to a higher competitive tier.
The Shadow of Abu Dhabi
Masi’s path to this appointment is etched with the memory of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. That race, where Max Verstappen claimed the title over Lewis Hamilton, became a flashpoint for controversy. Masi’s decisions regarding the safety car period were scrutinized, leading to his removal from the FIA role in early 2022. The investigation concluded that human error was to blame, a finding that did little to soften the blow of his departure.
Since leaving the FIA, Masi has kept a low profile while remaining active in the sport. He relocated to Australia to be closer to his family and served as the independent chairman of the Supercars Commission from 2022 to 2025. He also maintained roles in New Zealand open-wheel racing and karting governance. Now, nearly five years after the events that reshaped his career, he is back in a senior sporting position, overseeing the very officials who will make the calls.
A New Chapter for Australian Motorsport
Masi expressed excitement about joining the next chapter for SRO Motorsports Australia. He highlighted the steady rise of GT racing in the region and his confidence in the team’s ability to continue building on established strengths. According to Yahoo Sports, this appointment signals a significant consolidation of expertise within the Australian motorsport landscape, bridging the gap between local series and global standards.
