FIA Sporting Director Nielsen leaves job in less than a year

FIA Sporting Director Steve Nielsen has left his work in less than a year since he was appointed in the role.

In further FIA news, its Sporting Director Nielsen has resigned from his role in less than a year since he was appointed amid simplification and diversification of work. This was undertaken post the happenings in 2021 F1 season under Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

With Sulayem taking a back role in F1 matters – at least on the public front – he decided to bring in Nielsen to look after sporting matters, especially in F1. He worked together with single-seater head Nikolaz Tombasis, looking after the race control and operations side.

BBC Sport reports that the news of Nielsen leaving was communicated within the FIA on December 21 which came after the news of FIA’s Commission for Women head Deborah Mayer leaving her role on December 13.

Nielsen’s push was supported by F1 teams after his work within Formula One Management, but the report states that he was seemingly getting little support from the FIA to make changes that he wanted in the race control matters.

This pushed the decision to leave his role which could pose a worry for the F1 teams. It comes after latest round of troubles between the FIA and FOM relating to the matter of Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and F1 Academy’s Susie Wolff.

Even without mentioning them, the governing body seemingly launched an investigation into a potential conflict. Both Mercedes and Susie were extremely disappointed even after the allegations were put to rest, as all of the 10 F1 teams came in support of the Wolffs.

The ongoing tussle between the FIA and F1 continues on, even with the decision on having an 11th team on the grid. The departure of Nielsen could lead to changes within the governing body, as the look for a suitable replacement could be on soon.

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