FIA appoints new sporting director amid F1 management restructure

Formula 1 has a new Sporting Director after the FIA announced changes to its Formula 1 structure overnight.

Respected former team manager Steve Nielsen joins the FIA in the Sporting Director role following a review of the governing body’s internal procedures.

In addition to Nielsen’s appointment, Nikolas Tombazis will be the Single Seater Director, while Tim Goss, Federico Lodi and Francois Sicard will perform director roles in the Technical, Financial and Strategy and Operations departments respectively.

The reorganisation within the FIA’s Formula 1 department will be in place ahead of the upcoming 2023 season starting at Bahrain in March.

Steve Nielsen marches through the paddock at the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Photo by Mark Sutton / Sutton Images

Nielsen’s arrival at the FIA is the latest move in a lengthy career in the F1 world having spent time with Lotus, Tyrrell, Benetton, Renault and AlphaTauri.

Most recently the 58-year-old has been at FOM, which has seen him witness many years of close collaboration with the FIA.

In his new role as Sporting Director, Nielsen will be responsible for overseeing all sporting matters including the ongoing development of Race Control and the Remote Operations Centre, which was implemented following the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He will also be responsible for future updates to the Sporting Regulations.

Nielsen said he is excited to take on the position and hopes to use his experience to “ensure the future health of the sport”.

“I have spent my professional life working for many teams and organisations in Formula 1, and cannot wait to engage with another new chapter with the FIA,” he said. 

Steve Nielsen during his days as Sporting Manager at Renault in 2003. Photo by Motorsport Images

“I’d like to thank both the President (Mohammed Ben Sulayem) and Stefano Domenicali for their trust in me, and I understand and appreciate the unique challenges that come with being the regulator. 

“Having worked closely with a number of people in the Federation over the years, I’m looking forward to tackling those challenges that lie ahead with them.

“Formula 1 is in a great place at the moment, and it’s our responsibility to ensure the future health of the sport that is at the heart of everything we do.”

Former Ferrari chief designer Nikolas Tombazis with Fernando Alonso at pre-season testing in 2013.Photo by Motorsport Images

With increasing investment and resources being thrown into F1 activities, Tombazis, who has led the FIA’s Formula 1 technical team since 2019 and oversaw the implementation of last year’s regulations overhaul, will be the Single Seater Director.

Tombazis said he hopes the new structure will continue to drive the category forward.

“I am excited and honoured to be taking on this new position within the FIA, and very grateful to the President for the trust he is demonstrating towards me,” he said. 

“We have a group of extremely talented and dedicated people who work flat out to deliver the level of regulation that Formula 1 demands and deserves, and I fully believe this new structure will take our resources to the next level and allow us to make continual improvements.”

Max Verstappen speaks with FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem. Photo by Mark Sutton / Sutton Images

The newly-created position within the FIA of Formula 1 strategy and operations director will be taken on by Sicard.

The former sporting director will be responsible for long-term strategic planning and key trackside activities and logistics.

These announcements are the culmination of a review of FIA’s internal procedures which was initiated by Ben Sulayem.

The FIA president said he believes the restructures made to the governing body’s F1 team will help the sport continue its growth into the future.

“We have dedicated a lot of time and effort to making significant, informed changes to our Formula 1 team to create the right structure with the right people to oversee the future regulation of the sport,” Ben Sulayem said.

“By developing and empowering people within our organisation, as well as bringing in expertise and experience from the outside, I am confident that we are in the best position possible to move forward together with our partners at FOM and the Formula 1 teams.”

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