The aftermath of last year’s controversial end to the season in Abu Dhabi? The FIA has dismissed its Secretary General and Executive Director

Peter Bayer retires as Secretary General for Sport and Executive Director of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). Heis to be replaced by former FIA legal counsel and special advisor to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff , Shaila-Ann Rao.

Bayer joined the FIA as Secretary General for Sport in 2017 and has overseen all activities under the FIA’s purview – from karting to F1.

He also worked closely with the various member clubs around the world. Then, at the end of last season, specifically before the grand finale in Abu Dhabi, he became the FIA’s Executive Director to oversee that aforementioned last race of the season.

A few dozen hours ago, however, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) officially announced the dismissal of its Secretary General and Executive Director in one person – Bayer.

“The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile announces the departure of Peter Bayer, who has served as Secretary General for Sport since 2017 and as Executive Director of F1 since 2021,” reads the FIA‘s official statement.

“The FIA would like to thank him for his contribution to the development of motorsport over the last five years. In particular, he has overseen with the entire sporting division the competitions under the FIA’s jurisdiction – from karting to F1, the creation of rally-raid, as well as the improvement of safety and sustainability in all racing events. The FIA wishes him all the best for the future,” the statement also said.

Indeed, as part of his role, Bayer was tasked with overseeing the investigation into the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Lewis Hamilton lost the championship on the final lap of the last race of the season.

And that was because of an incorrect decision by the then race director Michael Masi. Max Verstappen in the Red Bull won the overall championship.

Since then, the FIA has restructured its Formula One operations. Under the leadership of new president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA has introduced the position of race director to be held by two people who will rotate across the Grand Prix.

The FIA recently appointed former DAMS chief executive Francois Sicard as its new sporting director, while Bayer will be replaced by former FIA legal director Shaila-Ann Rao.

She left the FIA organisation at the end of the year to join Mercedes as general counsel before becoming special advisor to Toto Wolff in 2021.

Sources