Deputy F1 Race Director About Merit, Not Gender – FIA

F1 Grand Prix Of Mexico
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-24 and Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes into turn 1 at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix Of Mexico
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-24 and Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes into turn 1 at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has denied that the new permanent deputy Formula 1 race director was selected because of her gender.

That is despite the fact that the sport’s governing body often talks about the need for greater diversity. Indeed, at the recent FIA officials summit in Madrid, the federation boasted about “an equal gender split” among the latest 12 trainee stewards and race directors.

And it now emerges that while Rui Marquez is staying on board as the new full-time F1 race director, he will be joined by a permanent deputy – Dutchwoman Claire Dubbelman.

De Telegraaf newspaper reports that Dubbelman has actually had a prominent role in race control since 2023.

“You cannot simply throw someone into this great challenge,” FIA president Ben Sulayem told mainly Spanish media just 24 hours prior to the emergence of the Dubbelman news.

“It’s very important,” he added. “What would happen if the race director got sick? It’s the same as the FIA. If something happens to me tomorrow, the FIA will continue to function without me.”

Ben Sulayem also bristled at the idea that the FIA would appoint someone like Dubbelman, 39, to a prominent role in Formula 1 because she is a woman.

“We talk about diversity,” he admitted, “but when they say ‘You brought someone from this country, or you brought this person because she is a woman’, that’s an insult.

“We don’t have women because we have to have 30 percent, we have women based on their merit and credibility. Because they are good. Because they are trained and they have the passion. Not because ‘Oh, I have to have this colour, this religion’.

“Then you won’t have a good FIA, a strong FIA,” the FIA president is quoted as saying by Marca sports newspaper.

From F1 news to tech, history to opinions, F1 Chronicle has a free Substack. To deliver the stories you want straight to your inbox, click here.

New to Formula 1? Check out our Glossary of F1 Terms, and our Beginners Guide to Formula 1 to fast-track your F1 knowledge.

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in News

ImolaGP GP F1 2025 on May 16 2025 at Imola, Emilia Romagna - Formula 1 Valtteri Bottas driver for Sauber — Photo by PitShots.com

Valtteri Bottas Says July Is His 2026 Comeback ‘Deadline’

July will be a critical month for Valtteri Bottas, the ...
Formula 1 2022: Austrian Gp

Formula 1 To Continue Racing In Austria On Long-Term Deal

The iconic Austrian Grand Prix will remain on the Formula ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Austria Qualifying

A Super Spielberg Saturday For Lando Norris

Lando Norris secured pole position, the twelfth of his career, ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Canada

McLaren Driver Equality Is ‘Playing With Fire’

As far as championship leader Oscar Piastri is concerned, he ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Austria Previews

Max Verstappen Explains Ongoing F1 Media Attitude

Max Verstappen giggled to the Dutch media as he explained ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle