Two senior FIA figures RESINED from governing body following...

Two senior FIA figures RESINED from governing body following…read more

Two senior figures from the FIA, the world’s governing body for motorsport, have resigned from their positions. Luke Skipper, the director of communications, and Jacob Bangsgaard, the secretary general for mobility, have both stepped down. While both are reportedly leaving to pursue other interests, their departures come amid renewed attention on FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership style.

Recently, Ben Sulayem has been at the center of several controversies. Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, he called for Formula 1 drivers to cut back on their use of profanity, a remark that gained widespread attention. This issue gained further traction when Max Verstappen was sanctioned for cursing during a press conference, an action that led to protests from the Dutch driver. Ben Sulayem has also voiced criticism of the British media, suggesting that he has been unfairly judged or “convicted” by certain coverage, though he did not specify the particular articles or reports in question.

The resignations of Skipper and Bangsgaard mark the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the FIA over the past year. Their exits add to the departures of other key figures, including sporting director Steve Nielsen and single-seater technical director Tim Goss, both of whom left last winter.

Luke Skipper, who was appointed in 2022 as the FIA’s first director of communications and public affairs, brought significant experience to the role. Prior to joining the FIA, Skipper had worked as the director of public affairs for the international communications firm Weber Shandwick, where he managed a wide range of global clients. His political experience included a stint as the chief of staff for the Scottish National Party in the UK Parliament. His departure from the FIA leaves a gap in the organization’s communications strategy at a time when the spotlight is increasingly focused on the governing body.

Jacob Bangsgaard was appointed as secretary general for automobile mobility and tourism in 2023. With a long and distinguished career in mobility policy, Bangsgaard founded European Policy Research in 1997 and served as its CEO. He was also a pivotal figure within the FIA, having previously been the Director General of FIA Region I, where he was responsible for overseeing automobile mobility interests across Europe. In addition to his regional leadership role, Bangsgaard worked for the FIA Foundation in London as director of international relations, a position that helped solidify his influence in the field of global mobility.

While the exact reasons behind Skipper’s and Bangsgaard’s departures remain undisclosed, their resignations come during a period of change within the FIA. Their exits also coincide with ongoing discussions about Ben Sulayem’s leadership style, which has been described as assertive and occasionally divisive. As the FIA moves forward, it will need to address both the leadership transitions and the broader questions surrounding the organization’s direction under Ben Sulayem’s presidency.

These latest resignations will likely prompt further speculation about the future of the FIA’s leadership and its impact on motorsport, as well as its role in global mobility and tourism initiatives.