FIA confirm Michael Masi removed from role as Formula 1 race director after controversial handling of season finale that saw Max Verstappen beat Sir Lewis Hamilton to world championship title

Michael Masi has been relieved of his duties as Formula 1 race director after the chaotic finish to last season's Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi, the FIA has confirmed.

Max Verstappen snatched the F1 world championship title away from Sir Lewis Hamilton in the final laps of the race in controversial circumstances after Dutch driver was allowed to put on fresh tyres and the cars ahead of him were cleared out of the way.

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Whilst he no longer will make any decisions as race director, Masi has not been sacked by the FIA, and instead given a new role within the organisation.

A statement from the president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, was released on Wednesday, detailing who will be in charge.

"I would like to inform you that a new race management team will be put in place starting in Barcelona for the test session," he said.

"Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternatively as Race Director, assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior advisor.

"Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as Formula 1 race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA.

"I presented this complete plan to the members of the World Motor Sport Council and the Senate who gave their full support."

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Further changes have also been put into place by the president. A Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be implemented to aid officials on race days, TV broadcasters will no longer hear radio communications, and procedures for unlapping behind a safety car will be re-evaluated.

"Firstly, to assist the race director in the decision-making process, a Virtual Race Control Room will be created, like the Video Assistance Referee in football," Ben Sulayem added.

"It will be positioned in one of the FIA offices as a backup outside the circuit.

"In real-time connection with the FIA F1 race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools.

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"Secondly, direct radio communications during the race, currently broadcast live by all TVs, will be removed in order to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully.

"It will still be possible to ask questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process.

"Thirdly, unlapping procedures behind safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season.

"With this plan, FIA opens the way for a new step forward in Formula One refereeing.

"Without the referees, there is no sport. Respect and support of the referees is in the essence of the FIA. That is why these structural changes are crucial in a context of strong development and the legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organisers, and of course, the fans."