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Michael Masi will be replaced as Formula 1 Race Director and offered a new position within the FIA as part of a series of changes following the governing body’s analysis into last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who have recently worked in the World Endurance Championship and DTM respectively, will alternate the Race Director role.

They will be assisted by Herbie Blash – who returns to F1 having previously acted as deputy to Masi’s predecessor Charlie Whiting, as permanent senior advisor.

The new race management trio will begin their new roles in Barcelona next week, when three days of pre-season running take place.

Newly-elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that Masi “accomplished a very challenging job for three years as F1 race director following Charlie Whiting”.

Regarding the structural changes, Ben Sulayem said a Virtual Race Control Room will be created to assist the Race Director.

“Alike the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) in football, 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,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

He added: “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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will alternate the Race Director role.

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Szafnauer confirmed as new Alpine team principal
Chris Medland February 17, 2022 11:37 AM ET

Otmar Szafnauer has been confirmed as the new team principal at Alpine, with Bruno Famin also joining the team.

Szafnauer was heavily linked with a move to Alpine during last season’s Qatar Grand Prix, but his departure from Aston Martin was not confirmed until January of this year. In that time Marcin Budkowski left Alpine, while Alain Prost also departed prior to BWT being named title partner ahead of Szafnauer’s confirmation.

“I am thrilled to join BWT Alpine F1 Team and ready to get to work with everyone to achieve our challenge: bring the team to fight for the championship within the next 100 races,” Szafnauer said. “My attention is focused on preparing for the start of the season in Bahrain. As one of the three car manufacturers involved in Formula 1, Alpine is fully armed to achieve its ambition, I can’t wait to start the journey.”

Alongside Szafnauer’s arrival comes former FIA deputy sport secretary general Famin, who is tasked with overseeing development of the Formula 1 power unit and maximizing the crossover between the F1 team and road car brand.

Both new additions will report into Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, while Davide Brivio also has a new role as director of racing expansion projects.

“With Otmar and Bruno joining the team, we move to a new level for 2022,” Rossi said. “Otmar will bring his unique experience in motorsports and his uncompromising desire to win, while Bruno’s proven track record in building technologies that make a difference in competition and their subsequent transference to road cars is critical for our project as a sports team and as a brand.

“Over the past year I have seen Davide’s talent to identify the best in people, and to make them perform as well as they can. I am delighted to utilize this unique skill across all existing Alpine assets and new ones we are just starting to explore. Our band of racers is complete and ready to bring the team towards its ambitious objectives in 2022.”

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Originally posted by P250UA5:
The more blue livery looks pretty good.
Those that haven't been keeping up will probably mistake the pink Alpine for the Aston.