FIA Chief Executive Natalie Robyn To Leave After 18 Months In The Role
Chief executive officer of the FIA, Natalie Robyn, is stepping down from her position after only 18 months in the role. Robyn is the fourth senior executive to leave the FIA since December, following the resignations of sporting director Steve Nielsen, single-seater technical director Tim Goss and head of the commission for women Deborah Mayer. In a statement from the FIA, they say that Robyn has left “by mutual agreement to pursue opportunities outside of the FIA”.
In the statement Natalie Robyn is quoted as saying that her time as CEO was an “enormous privilege” and that she was grateful to be able to direct a program of restructure and reform, but that she is stepping away knowing that the FIA is in a better position for future challenges that they might face. She joined the FIA in late 2022 after working as a car industry executive for Volvo, Nissan and DaimlerChrysler, which FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem described as “a transformative moment for our federation”.
Robyn’s departure comes amid changes within the FIA, including accusations against Ben Sulayem about him interfering with the Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas Grand Prix’s last season - which he has been cleared of - and an ongoing lawsuit brought against the FIA by director of the F1 Academy for aspiring female drivers and wife of Mercedes team principal, Susie Wolff. Her departure raises questions over the stability and leadership of the FIA as motorsport fans await further developments.
