The most recent departures of top-level FIA executives include Pierre Ketterer, who served as the FIA Governance and Regulatory Director, and Edward Floydd, who held the position of FIA Head of Commercial Legal Affairs. Both individuals were part of the FIA negotiating team for the current F1 Concorde Agreement, which is set to run until 2026.
Ketterer, who had been with the FIA since 2010, is scheduled to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in April. Despite being brought in during the tenure of the FIA’s previous president, Jean Todt, Ketterer was considered a crucial member of Ben Sulayem’s team. Sulayem, the current FIA president, expressed his personal and professional appreciation for Ketterer, highlighting his meticulous dedication to serving the Federation and its members.
In response to his departure, Ketterer stated that he is passionate about sports and joining the IOC is a dream come true for him. He had spent 14 years at the FIA and desired to seek new challenges within another sports organization while still remaining in the sports industry. Although he expressed sadness about leaving motorsport and bidding farewell to his colleagues and friends, Ketterer acknowledged the importance of his relationship with the FIA president and wished him well in his new role.
Ketterer and Floydd can now be added to the growing list of high-level personnel who have departed from the FIA. This list includes notable figures such as F1 sporting director Steve Nielsen, F1 technical director Tim Goss, Formula E technical manager Alessandra Ciliberti, and Women in Motorsport Commission president Deborah Mayer, among others. Additionally, there have been several less high-profile departures from the FIA staff.
The FIA spokesperson addressed the brain drain phenomenon within the organization, explaining that the FIA has undergone significant transformation over the past year. This transformation has involved the creation of 10 new departments, restructuring the Federation to better align with future needs. While some individuals have left for other opportunities, the FIA has also welcomed new additions to its management team, including a chief legal officer, chief commercial officer, and senior director for sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion. The spokesperson emphasized that the FIA has also filled numerous key roles across the sport and mobility sectors.
Last month, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced the appointment of Tim Malyon as the Sporting Director in the Single-Seater Department. Malyon will be responsible for all matters related to sports, including overseeing Race Direction and the Remote Operations Centre (ROC) in Geneva. He will report directly to Nikolas Tombazis, the Director of the Single-Seater Department at the FIA.
However, the constant turnover of staff within the FIA has not gone unnoticed. Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes F1, expressed his concern about the departure of Steve Nielsen, the former sporting director, a month ago. Wolff stated, “It is worrisome to see so many talented individuals leaving. Losing Steve Nielsen is a significant setback. I cannot think of a more knowledgeable and fair sporting director.”
Wolff believes that as a leader, it is crucial to create a culture and environment where people can thrive. He pointed out that when competent individuals like Nielsen leave an organization, it creates a void. He questioned why so many people have suddenly decided to leave and emphasized the importance of stability within the FIA. According to Wolff, the FIA is one of the three key stakeholders in the sport, and as leaders of these organizations, they need to set the example for others. This statement can be interpreted as a direct criticism of Ben Sulayem, the chief of the FIA.
