He is weighing up whether to take up Ben Sulayem's offer to continue in another capacity, possibly as race director in another series. Masi, currently staying in London, is understood to be devastated at losing the job he took up on the sudden death of Charlie Whiting three years ago. Masi's departure is a sign of Ben Sulayem's ruthless desire to sweep out the pits at the start of his reign and to imprint himself as undisputed boss: he resisted significant Masi supporters, including Bernie Ecclestone, whose wife Fabiana was elected on Ben Sulayem's election ticket in December as one of his vice-presidents. That announcement was timely because Friday brings Mercedes' car launch at which Hamilton, team principal Toto Wolff and incoming driver George Russell will be present. Then, on Thursday, the new FIA president Muhammed ben Sulayem, the Emirati rally driver whose decision it was, issued an unusual video statement to deliver the news publicly. The 43-year-old Australian was still working until two days ago in the cautious hope of continuing in post when the new season starts in Bahrain on March 16, but was told of his dismissal on Wednesday. Regardless, the choreographing of Masi's departure was artful. Mercedes deny that Masi's head was a quid pro quo for their star man to race on into his 38th year. Michael Masi (left) has been dramatically axed as Formula One race director his controversial calls at last year's season-finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton lose the title race
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