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Michael Masi’s friend reveals how sacked F1 race director reacted to axing after Lewis Hamilton-Max Verstappen drama

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MICHAEL MASI has shown great ‘resilience’ during a ‘torturous two or three months’, his pal Eugene Arocca has revealed.

Arocca, CEO of Motorsport Australia, checked in with Masi after news broke that he had been axed as FIA race director last week.

Michael Masi was axed as FIA race director last weekCredit: Getty

New FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem then confirmed a shake-up for the new season, announcing a new ‘virtual race control room’, in a move welcomed by Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.

Masi, 44, is yet to react publicly since the reshuffle – although Arocca has provided petrolheads with an update on his buddy.

He told Speedcafe: “He’s a personal friend.

“I’ve known him as long as I’ve been involved in motorsport, which goes back ten years. We’ve become good buddies.

“It’s personally disappointing and devastating for me to see what has occurred.

“It’s been a tortuous two or three months of discussion, debate, criticism, public airing of view.

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“You have to have a hide that’s pretty thick to be able to withstand all that and come out the other end feeling okay.”

Arocca then added: “Based on the fact that he responded this morning, and he was obviously pretty flat, he’s a man who’s got fantastic resilience.”

Retirement rumours surrounded Lewis Hamilton during the off-season, after Masi’s Abu Dhabi blunder cost him a record eighth world title – handing it instead to rival Max Verstappen.

But the 37-year-old was in great spirits as he returned to Mercedes HQ last week, confirming that he’d be driving for the Silver Arrows once again in 2022.

Hamilton and new team-mate George Russell took their new wheels for a spin at Silverstone on Friday.

Lewis Hamilton is ready for another hard fought-seasonCredit: PA

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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