FIA Wants 3 Race Directors by 2023, Masi Could Be In Contention

FIA's president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed that the new FIA structure that he has presided over isn't complete. He believes that FIA needs to go on a hiring spree. He revealed he wasn't satisfied yet with the way the races were being run despite largely the first 5 rounds of the world championship being controversy-free. 

Ben Sulayem indicated that he wanted three race directors to be in place by next year. He also said that former FIA race director Michael Masi who had been removed from active F1 duty since the start of the 2022 season in the aftermath of the 2021 season finale was very much still on the rolls of the FIA. 

"I didn't get rid of Michael. It is not as if we said it is the end of Masi with the FIA. I don't do that sort of thing," he said. 

"I have no personal issue (with him). I don't hate anyone. Michael is there and we might use him. I didn't say we were getting rid of him. I said we might use him. He may be in a good place to use. We are open to everything," Sulayem added indicating that he could be used in the future, perhaps as the third race director. 

Michael Masi was the FIA race director for F1 between 2019 and 2021.

Masi independently has also hinted that he would be open to the role of the FIA race director if that was offered to him as per reports by SportsMail. 

In addition to this, Sulayem also said that he wouldn't be changing the rules on jewellery for just one driver.  "In the car, there can be no choice. People say they (the rules) haven't been implemented before. Don't ask me why not. People can ask the old regime why that is the case," he said. 

He added when asked about Hamilton's belligerent stand of not removing his nose stud, "That's up to him. There are fines that apply. It's like if someone speeds on the roads - you can't stop them doing it but they get fined, even if it was accidental."