Michael Masi Takes on New Sporting Role with SRO Motorsports Australia

Former Formula 1 race director Michael Masi is back in motorsport leadership. He has been appointed as the new head of sporting at SRO Motorsports Australia, the organization behind GT World Challenge Australia within the Shannons SpeedSeries network.

Why it matters:

Masi's return to a senior sporting role comes nearly five years after his controversial exit from F1 following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. His appointment brings a high-profile figure with immense experience into Australian GT racing, signaling SRO's ambition to raise its operational standards.

The Details:

• Masi will take on the role effective immediately, with an official handover period before he assumes it full-time from 2027.
• He will attend the final two rounds of the 2026 season in Sydney and Adelaide as part of the transition.
• His responsibilities include overseeing rules and regulations, supervising race officials including stewards, and aligning SRO Motorsports Australia with SRO Global's processes and best practices.
• Masi served as F1 race director from 2019 to 2021, a tenure that ended after the infamous Abu Dhabi finale.

What's next:

Masi expressed enthusiasm for the new chapter, noting GT racing in Australia has been on a steady rise. SRO Motorsports Australia CEO Ben McMellan welcomed the move, saying Masi's knowledge and expertise will help take the series to the next level. With Masi on board for the 2026 season finale and beyond, the organization is clearly betting on his experience to drive growth.