Two of the senior officials of the FIA are leaving

The FIA has announced the resignation of two of its key members: Luke Skipper, director of communication, and Jacob Bangsgaard, secretary general of mobility. These departures come at a time when the governance of the FIA, under the presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is once again in the spotlight.

Departures in a turbulent context

Although no official explanation has been provided regarding the resignations of Skipper and Bangsgaard, personal choices to pursue other interests are being mentioned. However, these resignations come as criticisms are being raised about Ben Sulayem’s management.

Before the Singapore Grand Prix, the president of the FIA made headlines, especially after asking drivers to watch their language, which led to a controversial sanction against Max Verstappen. In addition, Ben Sulayem recently criticized certain British media, claiming to have been condemned by what he considered to be unfavorable coverage.

These elements reinforce the idea that the environment within the FIA is tense, especially with these significant departures.

The loss of two major actors

Luke Skipper joined the FIA in 2022 as the first Director of Communication and Public Affairs. His departure is a significant loss for the organization, especially at this time when the FIA is facing numerous criticisms.

Thanks to his experience in communication management, he helped maintain a positive image of the FIA in delicate situations. His ability to handle sensitive issues and develop effective strategies was essential for strengthening relationships with partners and improving the public’s perception of motorsport.

Jacob Bangsgaard, for his part, has been a valuable asset to the organization since his arrival in 2023.

He played a key role in promoting sustainable mobility, a crucial topic for the future of motor sport. His ability to build relationships with different stakeholders in the sector has strengthened the FIA’s position, and his absence could make it more difficult to manage the challenges related to mobility in the years to come.

A series of resignations

Skipper and Bangsgaard’s departure is part of a series of resignations within the FIA over the past 12 months.

This winter, Sporting Director Steve Nielsen and Chief Technical Officer of the single-seaters, Tim Goss, also left their positions. Nielsen joined the FOM, while Goss is about to join Red Bull as Technical Director.

These departures followed that of Deborah Mayer, president of the Women in Motorsport Commission.

Last February, Pierre Ketterer, head of governance and regulation, and Edward Floydd, in charge of commercial legal affairs, also left the FIA after playing a key role in the negotiations of the Concorde Agreement.

Finally, Natalie Robyn, the first general manager of the FIA, also left the organization in May, less than a year after being appointed by Ben Sulayem as part of the restructuring of the FIA structure.