FIA appoints new F1 deputy race director

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The FIA has appointed a brand new deputy race director in Method 1, selling Paul Burns to the position to work with present lead Rui Marques.

This follows Claire Dubbelman’s departure from the FIA initially of 2026 to hitch the Saudi Car and Bike Federation, leaving the deputy publish open for the opening two rounds of the season.

The FIA has since promoted Burns, who has expertise in an identical position, having served because the assistant F2 race director by 2025 and for the F4 and Method Regional courses on the Macau Grand Prix.

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The Northern Irishman labored at Method One Administration as a part of its timekeeping staff, wherein he was concerned in signing off the outcomes at grands prix. This was preceded by a interval spent engaged on timekeeping at a wide range of UK and Irish circuits.

He moved to the FIA in 2023, becoming a member of its F1 race operations staff earlier than taking over operational duties throughout the junior classes.

In a publish on Instagram, Dubbelman defined her causes for leaving the FIA earlier this 12 months, stating that “saying nothing leaves room for hypothesis” – maybe to distance her personal departure from a set of higher-profile FIA losses throughout the previous few years.

Claire Dubbelman, former FIA deputy race director

Picture by: Li Chao Paddocker – NurPhoto – Getty Pictures

“After nearly a decade on the FIA, I felt that I had reached a degree the place I had maximised each alternative out there to me inside the organisation,” she wrote.

“This transfer just isn’t about strolling away from the FIA, however entering into a job in a brand new surroundings that challenges me on the subsequent stage.

“It offers me with a perspective to contribute and develop the game in a manner that I did not see potential in my earlier position. I’m genuinely enthusiastic about being in Saudi [Arabia] and there may be a lot alternative right here.

“By being right here, I really feel like I’m a part of its future, serving to the Saudi Motorsport Federation to pave the best way; facilitating expertise and infrastructure for the game to thrive.”