The first ever Chief Executive Officer of the FIA Natalie Robyn announces departure from the motorsport governing body after only 18 months in the leadership role.
In a statement by the governing body, they said that Robyn had decided to leave “by mutual agreement to pursue opportunities outside of the FIA.
“Performing in the role of CEO at the FIA has been an enormous privilege and I am grateful to have directed a programme of restructuring and reform.
“Now is the time to step away in the knowledge that the organisation is better placed for the challenges which lie ahead,” Robyn stated as quoted by the FIA.
The governing body stated that she “spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of the federation’s operational structure, playing a pivotal role in modernising the FIA, enhancing governance, and securing sustainable financial stability.”
Robyn, who was a part of the automotive industry, and was an executive at Volvo, Nissan, and Daimler Chrysler, started working for the government body in late 2022. At the time, her recruitment was described by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem as “a transformative moment for our federation.
“Natalie’s appointment was notable as the first CEO in the history of the FIA. She has contributed greatly to a wide-ranging reorganisation of our operational and management structure as well as our financial sustainability,” Ben Sulayem said in a statement regarding her departure.
Robyn, who will leave at the end of May, marks the fourth senior personnel to depart from the governing body since December of last year, following resignations of sporting director Steve Nielsen, single-seater technical director Tim Goss, and head of the commission for women Deborah Mayer.
It comes after the wake of controversies surrounding the governing body, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
In March, the FIA’s ethics body cleared Ben Sulayem of accusations from a whistleblower regarding interference of races in Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas, stating it had “no evidence” to support the claims.
Ben Sulayem and the governing body are also fighting a lawsuit brought in by F1 Academy Director Susie Wolff, regarding the inquiry launched by the FIA into claims that her and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff presented a conflict of interest within the sport.
