The FIA has produced a lengthy statement after experienced F1 steward Tim Mayer spoke out following his dismissal, along with Formula Two deputy race director Janette Tan, ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Mayer was dismissed by text message after 15 years with the FIA and responded by telling BBC Sport: “I know how hard both of those jobs are. I like Rui [Marques, F1 race director] a lot, but it will put him under incredible pressure.
“There aren’t a lot of ‘platinum-level’ FIA race directors, which is the FIA’s highest level certification. I’m one of them. It’s a lot of work and, if you are doing the job right, you wake up every day with an ulcer thinking of all the various things you need to be thinking about. They’re not doing themselves any favours. They are literally running out of people to do those jobs.”
The FIA’s latest exits follow the departures of race director Niels Wittich and compliance officer Paolo Basarri and have served to further undermine Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership of the organisation.
One of the biggest concerns in the paddock on Thursday surrounded Marques’ workload for the upcoming Grand Prix. He will preside over the F1, Formula Two and F1 Academy events in Qatar.
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