The FIA has announced the appointment of Paul Burns as the new deputy race director for Formula 1. This decision comes following the departure of Claire Dubbelman in early 2026, who left her position to join the Saudi Automotive and Motorcycle Federation.
Burns, with a solid experience in the sector, served as the assistant race director for F2 over the past year and has been involved in the F4 and Formula Regional categories during the Macau Grand Prix. His background includes a stint in Formula 1 time management, contributing to validating Grand Prix results.
The new deputy race director joined the FIA in 2023, after working in race operations for Formula 1, where he took on responsibilities including supervising lower categories.
In a statement on Instagram, Dubbelman explained her reasons for leaving, noting that she felt she had reached her maximum potential within the organization and was seeking new challenges. “I am excited to contribute to the future of the sport in Saudi Arabia,” she commented, highlighting the opportunities this new stage offers.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_61beb40d2cf8b993484e2017f3564db4da1704fc