Mohammed Ben Sulayem is coming under increasing pressure (Image: Getty)
The ‘s road sport director, Andrew Wheatley, has reportedly become the latest key figure to depart the organisation with his exit arriving in the build-up to the .
According to a report from , Wheatley, who worked on the World Rally Championship between 2019 and 2022 before taking up the road sport director role, has left the FIA, becoming the latest in a long line of recent departures.
F1’s governing body have been in turmoil lately with the exit of race director Niels Wittich followed by senior steward Tim Mayer and Formula Two deputy race director Janette Tan ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
With so many key figures jumping ship, Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership has been heavily criticised, and the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association released a statement last month calling out the 63-year-old and questioning a number of FIA decisions, including how fines dished out over F1 race weekends are utilised.
He replied in a defiant fashion, telling Autosport: “None of their business. Sorry. With all respect, I am a driver. I respect the drivers. Let them go and concentrate on what they do best, which is race.
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“But okay, you want to know how much we paid in grassroots? I’ll give you [a figure]… 10.3 million [euros] we invested in grassroots last year. I think that’s a lot of money. In 2024, up to now, over 10 million. Back in grassroots. In karting.”
Despite receiving constant criticism from drivers and fans alike, Ben Sulayem still has the support of team principal , who believes that the Emirati official has earned the chance to make the changes he wants to make.
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