During what could be called ‘interesting times’ two senior members of the FIA have decided to pursue other interests outside of Formula 1’s governing body. Luke Skipper, director of communications, and Jacob Bangsgaard, secretary general of mobility, have both resigned and are the latest departures in a slew of notable people leaving the FIA.
Scotsman Skipper joined the FIA as it’s first director of communications and public affairs after previously working at major communication firm Weber Shandwick and the Scottish National Party.
Dane Bangsgaard was appointed secretary general just last year, after being the director general of FIA Region 1 and working for the FIA Foundation in London.
Both resignations come after a week in which former rally driver Ben Sulayem sought the confrontation with the press by complaining not only about the people not crediting the FIA for their work, but also about he himself falling victim to the so-called ‘British Bias’ of F1 journalism.
The exodus from the Place de la Concorde started with Deborah Mayer left as head of the FIA Women in Motorsport Comission, followed by sporting director Steve Nielsen and single-seater technical director Tim Goss leaving last winter for a role with the FOM and RB F1, respectively.
In February governance and regulatory director Pierre Ketterer and head of commercial legal affairs Edward Floydd resigned, followed by the FIA’s first CEO Natalie Robyn in May. Robyn was appointed by president Mohammed Ben Sulayem himself in an effort to restructure the organisation in the wake of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The departure of two more senior members is again a blemish on Ben Sulayems tenure as the FIA president, and renewed the focus on his leadership of the organisation. He antagonised few drivers by his call for less swearing, which subsequently prompted a day of community service for three time world champion Max Verstappen after swearing during a press conference. The Dutchman protested this sanction by delivering only one or two word answers during the remaining official press moments.
