After the controversy surrounding the Toto Wolff case just a few weeks ago, the federation now finds itself grappling with another significant shake-up at the top. Having taken office in early January, Steve Nielsen has formally resigned from his role as FIA Sporting Director, although the reasons have not been disclosed, nor has the name of his potential successor emerged.
This marks the second major departure in a few days for the federation, with Deborah Mayer, head of the FIA Women’s Commission, also resigning on December 13.
FIA, Steve Nielsen Also Departs by Submitting Resignation
Entering office in January 2023 as Sporting Director, after holding the same position for Liberty Media following its entry into Formula 1 in 2017, Ben Sulayem had entrusted the 59-year-old Bristol native with the task of improving FIA control operations, following a series of controversies in recent years, notably the dramatic ending of the Abu Dhabi GP in 2021.
“I have spent my professional life working for many teams and organizations in F1,” Nielsen commented at the beginning of the year. “I look forward to facing another new chapter with the FIA.
“I would like to thank both President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Stefano Domenicali for their trust. I appreciate the scope and importance of the challenge that comes from being one of the guarantors of this sport.”
At least for now, the reasons that prompted Nielsen to bid farewell to the federation after not even twelve months have not been disclosed. However, according to the BBC, some sources suggest a general dissatisfaction in various parts of his role, with the FIA “unwilling to make changes” that he deemed necessary.
Nielsen’s appointment as sporting director was part of a top-level role reorganization strongly desired by President Ben Sulayem. This restructuring also involved the promotion of Nikolas Tombazis to director of single-seaters, with technical director Tim Goss, chief financial officer Federico Lodi, and chief operating officer Francois Sicard completing the organizational chart.
Steve Nielsen thus leaves Formula 1 after over 30 years, having entered in 1986 with Lotus, served as assistant manager for Tyrrell in 1994, and then moved to Benetton in the following five years. After a brief stint with Honda and Arrows, Steve Nielsen returned to Benetton, where he spent almost a decade as sporting director.
After a year with Caterham in 2012, the Briton joined Toro Rosso in 2013, before spending three seasons at Williams as Sporting Manager from 2014 to 2017. Steve Nielsen also played a key role in organizing the 2020 season, with Formula 1 being the first international sport to restart a few months after the outbreak of the pandemic.
Source: f1ingenerale
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