Robyn, a highly experienced executive in the automotive industry, was welcomed by the FIA as a significant addition to their team. Her experience in the automotive industry was seen as a groundbreaking moment for an organization led by President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Ben Sulayem, in an effort to promote equality and diversity, emphasized Robyn’s appointment after a controversy involving her previous comments about women believing themselves to be intellectually superior to men.
The FIA announced that Robyn had chosen to explore other opportunities and would be leaving the organization by mutual agreement at the end of May. In her statement, she expressed gratitude for the privilege of serving as CEO and acknowledged the progress made through a restructuring and reform program under her leadership. She believed the organization was now better prepared to face future challenges and felt it was the right time to step away.
Robyn’s departure marks the fourth senior employee to leave the FIA since December. Previous departures include Sporting Director Steve Nielsen, Single-Seater Technical Director Tim Goss, and Women’s Commission Head Deborah Mayer.
Currently, the FIA is facing legal action from Susie Wolff, director of the exclusively female F1 support series Academy and wife of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. This legal action stems from a conflict of interest investigation conducted last year.
The relationship between Formula 1, owned by Liberty Media, and the FIA experienced a downturn last year as the two entities clashed on various issues, including the potential expansion to 11 teams. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)
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