FIA Deputy Race Director Claire Dubbelman Departs for Saudi Role
Claire Dubbelman, the FIA's deputy F1 race director and first woman to hold a Race Director Super License, is leaving to join Saudi Arabia's motorsport federation. Her departure ahead of the 2026 rules overhaul creates a key vacancy in the sport's officiating structure.
Claire Dubbelman, the FIA's deputy race director in Formula 1, is leaving the governing body to join the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation ahead of the 2026 season. Her departure creates a vacancy in a key sporting role just as the sport prepares for a major regulatory shift.
Why it matters:
Dubbelman's exit removes a senior figure from the FIA's race control structure at a critical time. As the first woman to hold an FIA Race Director Super License for F1, her departure also represents a step back for diversity in the sport's officiating ranks. The timing, ahead of the significant 2026 regulation changes, adds pressure to find a capable successor to ensure stability in race direction.
The details:
- Dubbelman joined the FIA in 2017 and was promoted to deputy race director for the 2024 F1 season, working within the sport's sporting department.
- She held a historic FIA Race Director Super License, which would have allowed her to step in as the lead race director if needed, though that situation never arose during her tenure.
- Her motorsport career includes previous roles such as championship manager for the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
- Her new position will be with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in Riyadh, one of the organizing bodies for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
What's next:
The FIA must now appoint a new deputy race director. Tim Malyon, the current FIA head of remote operations and a former F1 team performance engineer, has been mentioned as a potential successor. Filling this role effectively will be crucial for maintaining the integrity and smooth operation of race control as Formula 1 heads into its next era.