Fired F1 steward questions latest astonishing FIA exit

Leading F1 steward Tim Mayer, who has left his role within the FIA, has questioned the circumstances that also led to the exit of deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan.

The exits of Mayer and Tan were confirmed on the build-up to the Qatar Grand Prix.

Mayer has claimed he was fired by the organisation through a text message from one of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s associates.

The changes come shortly after Niels Wittich’s sudden departure from his F1 race director position prior to last weekend’s event in Las Vegas.

Mayer has stated he does not know the finer details of Tan’s withdrawal, but expressed surprise over the situation.

“She is the epitome of the type of person we want working for the FIA, the best of the next generation of race directors,” Mayer said. 

“I don’t know the circumstances, but one would think they would work very hard to keep someone of her character.”

Rui Marquez was promoted to the F1 race director position in Wittich’s place ahead of the Las Vegas race.

With Tan now out, Marquez will take control of refereeing both the F1 and F2 events in Qatar this weekend – a task that hasn’t been carried out by a sole figure since Charlie Whiting’s death in 2019.

Mayer has highlighted the shortening list of names available at the FIA’s discretion to carry out such duties.

“I know how hard both of those jobs are,” Mayer said. “I like Rui a lot, but it will put him under incredible pressure.

“There aren’t a lot of ‘platinum-level’ FIA race directors, which is the FIA’s highest level certification. 

“I’m one of them. It’s a lot of work and, if you are doing the job right, you wake up every day with an ulcer thinking of all the various things you need to be thinking about.

“They’re not doing themselves any favours. They are literally running out of people to do those jobs.”