Two additional departures within the FIA
The new F1 race director is facing additional responsibilities, after two dismissals at the FIA. Rui Marques sees his workload increase this weekend in Qatar.

The new F1 race director, Rui Marques, is facing an increased workload during the Qatar Grand Prix, following a shocking dismissal within the FIA.
Janette Tan, deputy race director in Formula 2, left the organization governing F1 on the eve of the penultimate race of the 2024 season. The sudden departure of Janette Tan means that Rui Marques will have to oversee both Formula 2 and the F1 Academy, in addition to his roles in Formula 1.
Rui Marques started his new role in F1 last weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after the departure of Niels Wittich. The FIA had announced that Wittich had resigned, but the German claimed he was fired.
A Formula 1 race director had not had to supervise several championships during the same weekend since Charlie Whiting, who died in 2019.
It was also revealed that Tim Mayer, long-time race commissioner of the FIA, has left the organization. Mayer, who held this position for 15 years, told the BBC that he was fired this week.
Speaking about the sudden departure of Janette Tan, Tim Mayer criticized the FIA. “She perfectly embodies the type of person we want within the FIA, one of the best of the new generation of race directors,” he said. “I don’t know the circumstances, but one could think they would do everything possible to retain someone of her caliber.”
(I) “I know how demanding these roles are,” he added. (I) “I really appreciate Rui, but this will put incredible pressure on him.”
« There are not many FIA ‘platinum’ level certified race directors, which is the highest certification. I am one of them. It is a huge job, and if you do it correctly, you wake up every day with a knot in your stomach thinking about all the things you have to consider.
« They are not helping each other. They literally lack staff for these positions. » Over the past 12 months, other notable departures at the FIA include sports director Tim Nielsen, technical director Tim Goss, CEO Natalie Robyn, women’s commission manager Deborah Mayer, mobility secretary general Jacob Bangsgaard, and communication director Luke Skipper.