Two more high-profile FIA resignations have rocked the governing body as President Mohammed Ben Sulayem faces further controversy.
Luke Skipper, the Director of Communications, and Jacob Bangsgaard, the Secretary General for Mobility, have both announced their departures, raising more concerns about the stability and future direction of the FIA under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
This latest development is part of a troubling pattern of high-profile FIA resignations that have plagued the F1 governing body in recent years, leading to speculation about internal strife and dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
Luke Skipper’s tenure at the FIA began in August 2022 when he was appointed to spearhead a newly created role aimed at modernizing the organization’s communications strategy.
With an impressive background that includes seven years at Weber Shandwick and experience in various political roles, Skipper was expected to enhance the FIA’s public image and engagement with stakeholders.
His departure is particularly notable given that he was tasked with working closely alongside President Ben Sulayem to position the FIA as a leading voice in global mobility and motorsport.
Jacob Bangsgaard, who served as Secretary General for Mobility, also leaves behind a significant legacy. His previous roles included founding and leading European Policy Research and serving as Director General.
Bangsgaard’s expertise in mobility and tourism was crucial for the FIA’s initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices within motorsport.
The timing of his resignation, alongside Skipper’s, raises questions about the internal dynamics of the FIA and whether their departures signal deeper issues within the organization’s governance.
The management has not provided specific reasons behind the FIA resignations, but only stated that both officials are pursuing “other interests.” However, this vague explanation has done little to quell speculation about potential discord within the organization.
Observers note that these departures come amidst increasing scrutiny of President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership style and decision-making processes. Since taking office in late 2021, the Emirati has faced criticism for a series of controversial statements and actions that have sparked debates about his suitability for leading such a pivotal organization in global motorsport.
The recent resignations follow a troubling trend for the FIA, which has seen several key figures depart over the past two years.
Notably, Steve Nielsen who was the Sporting Director left to join Formula One Management (FOM), while Tim Goss who was formerly the Technical Director for single-seaters joined Red Bull Racing. Additionally, Deborah Mayer resigned from her position as head of the Women in Motorsport Commission earlier this year.
As the FIA resignations unfold, they coincide with a fresh wave of controversy surrounding President Ben Sulayem. Recent changes to the International Sporting Code have allowed for broader sanctions against drivers for “any misconduct,” which led to Max Verstappen receiving a reprimand for using inappropriate language during a press conference.
This incident has further fueled criticism of Ben Sulayem’s leadership and raised questions about his approach to governance within Formula One. Just this week, he criticised the lack of recognition the governing body has received for F1’s rapid rise in popularity.
“We will never get the credit. Impossible,” Ben Sulayem told Autosport. “We’ll only get rubbish. That I know.
“When you look at it, everybody made money out of the FIA, everyone except the FIA. Everyone gets the credit, except the FIA.”
