Ex-FIA Sporting Director Nielsen starts consultancy role with F1

Former FIA Sporting Director Steve Nielsen has rejoined the Formula 1 organisation as a consultant after leaving his post with the governing body late last year.

Having joined the FIA in January 2023 as part of its wider restructuring, Nielsen resigned as the governing body’s Sporting Director in December after just 11 months in his role.

When appointed by the FIA, it was noted that the Briton would “be responsible for overseeing all sporting matters including the ongoing development of race control and the remote operations centre, as well as future updates to the sporting regulations.”

However, Nielsen was just one of several high-profile departures from the FIA following the conclusion of the 2023 season.

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According to the BBC, Nielsen’s departure came as “the FIA was not willing to make the changes required” to make its operations fit for purpose.

Nielsen is a highly-respected figure in the F1 paddock, first entering the sport in the 1980s as a truck driver for a catering company before spells at Lotus, Tyrell, Benetton, Honda, Arrows, Caterham, Toro Rosso and Williams in predominantly management and sporting director capacities.

In 2017, he then joined F1 as sporting director becoming one of the first major hirings by Ross Brawn when Liberty Media took ownership of the sport.

Five years at F1 saw Nielsen involved in the development of the sporting regulations as well as operational responsibilities on race weekends.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Briton played an integral role in filling a heavily afflicted calendar, returning events to former venues such as Imola, Nurburgring and Istanbul while also seeing Mugello and Qatar host their maiden F1 races.

Having left the FIA at the end of December, Nielsen has gone on to create a consultancy business and has been spotted in the Bahrain paddock during pre-season testing having taken up a part-time role with F1 where he will perform similar duties as he did previously.

It is also believed that Nielsen will work with other clients as a consultant, including circuits.