Leading F1 steward Tim Mayer has been dismissed from his role ahead of the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, raising more concerns about the stability of the governing body rocked by a series of high-profile FIA exits.
Mayer was sacked alongside recently appointed F2 race director Janette Tan who was scheduled to oversee her first race this weekend in Qatar after Rui Marques stepped up to F1 in the same capacity.
The latest departures comes amid a wave of changes that have seen several high-profile FIA exits, including former F1 Race Director Niels Wittich and former compliance officer Paolo Basarri who left the governing body two weeks ago.
F1 steward Tim Mayer has been a fixture in Formula 1 officiating for over 15 years with his status as the son of McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer doubling up respect for his integrity and deep understanding of racing regulations.
Despite the American’s long-standing contributions, his last outing as chairman of the stewards was at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, in October and ever since has not been called upon to discharge his duties.
The 58-year old’s dismissal was reportedly linked to his involvement in a right of review request during the United States GP weekend, where tensions arose between him and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Following a track invasion during the USGP, Mayer led an appeal regarding a hefty fine imposed on the circuit. This appeal reportedly did not sit well with Ben Sulayem, who took offense at the document submitted by Mayer.
Despite Mayer’s assertion that he had acted in good faith and in line with his responsibilities as a F1 steward, the fallout from this incident appears to have played a pivotal role in his removal.
F1 steward Tim Mayer claims he was informed of his termination via text message from an assistant to Ben Sulayem, a method that many see as unprofessional given his long service to the organization.
Mayer’s experience as a F1 steward included not only officiating but also mentoring new stewards and contributing to the development of FIA protocols. His absence will be felt as there are few individuals with his level of certification and experience within the organization.
F1 steward Tim Mayer’s departure coincided with the sacking of deputy F2 race director Janette Tan marking two high-profile FIA exits this week. Tan was ready to take over from F1’s new race director Rui Marques at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix and was largely expected to take over the role full time in 2025.
While the FIA has provided no reasons for Tan’s exit, Rui Marques has been tasked with overseeing race director duties across multiple categories, including F1 and F2, during upcoming events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The consolidation of responsibilities raises questions about whether Marques can handle such an immense workload without compromising safety and regulatory standards.
The current situation underscores the challenges faced by the FIA in maintaining a robust pool of qualified personnel capable of managing high-stakes racing environments.
Critics have pointed out that the several high-profile FIA exits reflect deeper issues within the FIA’s governance structure. The perception that decisions are being made based on personal grievances rather than objective assessments could undermine confidence in its leadership.
