FIA hit with more departures of senior figures

Two senior figures of the FIA, its director of communications Luke Skipper and secretary general of mobility Jacob Bangsgaard have resigned from their positions.

While both individuals cited pursuing other interests as the reason for their departures, the timing of their resignations raises questions, particularly given the recent controversies surrounding FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The Emirati, who has enjoyed a rocky tenure at the helm of motorsport’s governing boy since early 2022, found himself once again in the spotlight recently when he announced ahead of the Singapore GP a clampdown on discourse and swearing in Formula 1, targeting the sport’s drivers in particular.

The FIA’s fresh restrictive policy was swiftly applied at Marina Bay when officials sanctioned Max Verstappen with a day of community work after the Dutchman used the F-word in Thursday’s media conference.

Adding to the controversy, Ben Sulayem also criticized the British media, suggesting he had been unfairly “convicted” by their coverage, though he did not specify the incidents in question.

Read also:

• Ben Sulayem lashes out at British media: ‘They convicted me!’

Skipper and Bangsgaard’s exits are part of a broader wave of departures from the FIA over the past year.

Last winter, sporting director Steve Nielsen and single-seater technical director Tim Goss resigned, with Nielsen returning to a role within Formula One Management (FOM) and Goss moving to Visa Cash App RB as its new chief technical officer.

Deborah Mayer, head of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, also left around the same time.

February of this year saw the departures of governance and regulatory director Pierre Ketterer and head of commercial legal affairs Edward Floyd, both key figures in the Concorde Agreement negotiations on behalf of the FIA.

In May, Natalie Robyn, the FIA’s first-ever CEO who was appointed by Ben Sulayem in November 2022, also left her role, further amplifying concerns about the stability of the FIA’s senior leadership team.

The series of resignations has raised questions about the internal dynamics of the FIA under Ben Sulayem's presidency.

His push for reforms and attempts to modernize the organization have been overshadowed by controversies surrounding his public statements and leadership approach.

Some critics argue that his blunt style may have contributed to the exodus of key personnel, while others view the departures as part of a widespread restructuring effort.

Despite the challenges, Ben Sulayem remains focused on his agenda, often reiterating his commitment to improving the FIA’s governance and working on behalf of its member clubs.

However, with so many senior figures leaving, including Skipper and Bangsgaard, the president faces increasing pressure to stabilize the organization and address the concerns surrounding his leadership style.

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