The news will likely be well-received by Hamilton fans, with the Brit staying silent amid rumours that he will call time on a glittering F1 career ahead of the new season.
Silver Arrows boss Toto Wolff claimed that the seven-time world champion had become ‘disillusioned’ with the sport in the days following his title defeat.
Mercedes backtracked on their intention to appeal the race result in Abu Dhabi, but Wolff and Hamilton both snubbed the FIA’s prize-giving gala, in which Verstappen was the central attraction, in December.
If Masi is axed for his role in the controversy, and reforms are put in place to ensure that such instances do not bring the integrity of the sport into question again, Hamilton may fancy his chances of returning to fight for a record-breaking eighth crown.