Steve Nielsen to become FIA Sporting Director. On the eve of the 2023 Formula One season, the FIA has announced a major shake-up of its race management team, with Steve Nielsen taking up the position of sporting director.
On the eve of the 2023 Formula One season, which begins on 5 March with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the FIA has made some significant changes to its race management.
FIA reorganises ahead of the F1 season
The FIA today confirmed significant updates to its Formula One structure following a review of internal procedures initiated by its President Mohammed Ben Sulayem earlier this year. Following the transition period, the reorganisation of the Formula One departments is now complete and will be implemented before the 2023 season.
As a result, Nikolas Tombazis, who has headed up the technical team in Formula 1 since 2018, has been appointed director of single-seaters, while Steve Nielsen – who has worked for FOM before – joins the FIA as sporting director responsible for overseeing all sporting matters, including the ongoing development of race control and remote operations, as well as future updates to the Sporting Regulations.
Tim Goss will assume the role of Technical Director previously held by Tombazis, having served as his deputy since the start of the 2021 season. Federico Lodi has been the head of the FIA’s Financial Regulations team since its inception and will now become Formula One’s Chief Financial Officer.
Former sporting director François Sicard will take up a newly created position within the FIA as director of strategy and operations for Formula One, responsible for long-term strategic planning, as well as key trackside activities and logistics.
“We have spent a lot of time and effort making significant and informed changes to our Formula One team to create the right structure with the right people to oversee the future regulation of the sport,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“By developing and empowering the people within our organisation, as well as bringing in expertise and experience from outside, I am confident that we are in the best possible position to move forward with our FOM partners and the teams in Formula One.”
Now a new sporting director in F1, Steve Nielsen has extensive experience in Formula 1 having held team manager and team director roles with the likes of Lotus and Toro Rosso.
“I have spent my professional life working for many teams and organisations in Formula One, and I am looking forward to embarking on a new chapter with the FIA,” said Nielsen.
“I would like to thank the [FIA] president and [F1 CEO] Stefano Domenicali for their confidence in me, and I understand and appreciate the unique challenges that come with the role of regulator.”
“Having worked closely with a number of people within the Federation over the years, I look forward to the challenges ahead – Formula One is in a great position at the moment, and it is our responsibility to ensure the future health of the sport that is at the heart of everything we do.”
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