Former F1 Race Director Michael Masi Lands Major Role in New Zealand Motorsports Scene
In the often topsy-turvy world of motorsports, second acts can be hard to come by. But for Michael Masi, the road has led him to the picturesque circuits of New Zealand. Four years after the checkered flag fell on his tumultuous tenure as Formula 1 Race Director, Masi is stepping back into the limelight, taking the helm as the event director for the Repco NextGen NZ Championship.
It’s a significant move for Masi, a man whose name became synonymous with one of the most debated moments in sporting history. But to focus solely on the past is to ignore the decades of expertise he brings to the table. This new appointment isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to reshape the future of Kiwi racing.
Masi Brings Top-Tier Experience to the NextGen NZ Championship
Motorsport New Zealand hasn’t just hired an administrator. They’ve brought in a heavyweight. Masi has been tapped to oversee race officials and the operations team, ensuring the smooth running of each championship round. It’s a hands-on role that requires a cool head under pressure, something Masi has in spades, regardless of how you view the events of 2021.
The organization is clearly looking to elevate the domestic scene. By partnering with Toyota Gazoo Racing, they aim to meet world-class standards. Masi fits into this puzzle perfectly. His mandate involves honing regulations and implementing best practices learned at the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
“New Zealand has an abundantly rich and proud heritage in the sport,” Masi said regarding the announcement. “I’m 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.”
For Deborah Day, president of the country’s ASN, Masi’s arrival is a coup. “Michael’s experience at the highest levels of global motorsport will help us sharpen our systems, elevate our championships, and support our officials,” she noted.
A Career Defined by Passion and Pressure
To understand the significance of this move, you have to look at the man’s journey. Michael Masi stepped into the biggest shoes in motorsport back in 2019. Following the tragic and sudden passing of the legendary Charlie Whiting on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix, Masi was thrust into the hot seat. He had served as Whiting’s deputy, learning the ropes, but nothing can truly prepare you for being the final authority in F1.
For three years, he managed the chaos of the grid. He made thousands of calls that went unnoticed because they were right. He managed safety cars, red flags, and the ego-driven politics of team principals. But, as is the cruel nature of officiating, you are often defined by your most controversial day.
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains a raw nerve for many fans. The duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton came down to a single lap, a decision regarding lapped cars, and a safety car procedure that didn’t follow the letter of the law. The fallout was immense. The online vitriol was toxic. Masi eventually departed the FIA, revealing later that the abuse included death threats.
That human element is often lost in the technical analysis of rulebooks. Masi is a guy who loves racing, dedicates his life to it, and pays a heavy personal price for a split-second decision made in the heat of battle.
What This Move Means for New Zealand Racing
Now, Masi gets to apply his vast knowledge in a fresh environment. His schedule is already packed. He arrives in New Zealand in early January, just in time for the Allied Petroleum Hampton Downs International. From there, he’ll oversee the Giltrap Group Historic GP in Taupo, the Ascot Park Hotel Teretonga International, and the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands.
This isn’t a retirement gig. It’s a roll-up-your-sleeves, boots-on-the-ground operational role. He stepped down as chairman of the Supercars Commission recently, signaling that his focus is shifting fully to this new challenge.
For the young drivers coming up through the NextGen NZ Championship, having Masi in race control is invaluable. They are racing under the eye of someone who has officiated Hamilton, Verstappen, Vettel, and Alonso. The standards of professionalism and operational excellence he will demand can only help prepare these future stars for the international stage.
Moving Forward on the Track
The narrative around Masi will always have that chapter from 2021. But in the paddock, respect for experience runs deep. New Zealand is celebrating 70 years as an FIA member in 2026, and bringing in a former F1 Race Director is a bold statement of intent for the next era.
It’s a reminder that in racing, you keep looking forward. You analyze the data, you learn from the laps behind you, but you focus on the corner ahead. Michael Masi is back in the control tower, doing what he knows best. And for the drivers and teams in New Zealand, that’s a very good thing.
