FIA Struggle To Replace Mekies as Deputy Race Director

Follwing the departure of Laurent Mekies who will be joining Ferrari, the FIA are struggling to find a new deputy race director in time for the Grand Prix of Australia next week.

Mekies' predecessor, Herbie Blash, was the main candidate to step into the role, but due to other commitments he won't be able to make it to next week's season opener in Melbourne.

Mekies was not only the deputy race director, but also a FIA safety delegate. In order to take the position as the right hand of race director Charlie Whiting, Mekies had to undergo a series a training before being able to take the position only last year.

Blash filled the position for twenty years before Mekies stepped in, and is now active in the Superbike series as a manager on the Yamaha team. He'll be managing the Superbike race in Thailand when the Australian Grand Prix takes place. However, it is understood that he could be called upon for other Grands Prix, should it be necessary.

A solution for next week's duties could be to temporarily install a (deputy) race director from a different FIA-series.

To be continued.