Ferrari has confirmed that current FIA Formula 1 Deputy Race Director and Safety Director Laurent Mekies will join its technical team later this year.
Mekies worked as an engineer at Arrows, Minardi and Toro Rosso before joining the FIA as its Safety Director in October 2014.
Mekies stepped up to the role of Formula 1's Deputy Race Director in 2017, and worked closely with Charlie Whiting, primarily dealing with sporting matters.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Mekies will depart the FIA in June.
Mekies will continue in his role as Safety Director until his exit from the sport’s governing body, though will no longer be involved in any matters relating to Formula 1.
Mekies will officially join Ferrari on September 20, and will report to Technical Director Mattia Binotto, though his precise role has not been announced.
Mekies’ exit is the second major departure from the FIA in recent months, after it was confirmed last October that technical chief Marcin Budkowski was leaving to join Renault.
Budkowski’s move from the FIA to a Formula 1 team led to controversy, with rivals concerned about the potential information he could bring to Renault, sparking discussions over the suitable length of gardening leave.
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