'FIA technical director swaps motorsport federation for F1 team'

Things seem to be rumbling (again) at the FIA's headquarters. For the third time in a short time, a leading figure is leaving the organisation, reportedly because he is fed up with chairman Mohammed Ben Sulayem's 'hostile behaviour' towards Formula One Management.

The Italian newspaper Corriere Della Serra reported exactly a month ago that Steve Nielsen (sporting director), Nick Tombazis (director of single-seaters) and Tim Goss (technical director) were about to leave the motorsport federation. Not soon after, Nielsen already announced his move elsewhere and now Goss too has decided to leave.

Frustrations over FIA policy

In a statement from the motorsport federation this Monday, Goss said: "I believe the organisation is on a firm footing in terms of technical expertise for the tasks which lie ahead - particularly the introduction of the 2026 regulations." There is no mention of frustrations Goss (and previously Nielsen) had with the FIA's internal processes and the way Formula 1 was handled. Both were also said to be unhappy about the process of creating the new technical rules that will be introduced in F1 in 2026.

For Nielsen, the FIA has since found a successor. That is Tom Malyon, who in recent years worked for Formula E. Earlier in his career, he worked for Sauber and (as an engineer) for Red Bull Racing, among others. It is still unknown who will succeed Goss. Deborah Mayer has not yet been succeeded either. She recently left as final manager of the women's branch within the FIA.

Goss to Formula 1?

The BBC reports that Goss will not be out of work for long. He is said to be making the move to a Formula 1 team. It is not known which team this could be. In the past, Goss was in a managerial position at McLaren. Due to a restructuring, he had to leave there at the time.