FIA loses another senior figure as D&I director Sara Mariani departs

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has axed another senior figure as part of a management shake-up.

Sara Mariani, who was the organisation’s Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) director for the past 18 months, will now leave her position.

The BBC reported that Mariani wrote in a note in her out-of-office email, saying: “It is, sadly, time to say goodbye. I loved the ride, I enjoyed every minute of it.

“I enjoyed the amazing work we did and my incredibly talented team. I did not expect it would end so abruptly but life goes on.

“There is a life outside the FIA. A life where talent and dedication are rewarded. Where women in leadership positions can thrive, feel valued and respected.”

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Mariani’s position was made redundant after the FIA announced structural changes to its sustainability, diversity and inclusion function, which will be split into two separate divisions.

A statement from the FIA said: “As a result of these changes and the new leadership arrangements, Sustainability and D&I Director Sara Mariani will leave the Federation on 20 June 2025.

“The FIA is immensely grateful to Sara for her hard work and for her leadership of this team since 2023, and has taken steps to ensure that Sara is fully supported as she makes this transition.”

The changes will see the FIA’s sustainability programme move under Willem Groenewald, the secretary general for mobility.

Diversity and inclusion will now fall under senior human resources director Alessandra Malhame, with the FIA saying the move “allows the FIA to combine its internal and external efforts on D&I”.

Mariani was appointed in December 2023 and only last week updated her LinkedIn page following an FIA conference in Macau, saying it was a “very insightful and enjoyable conversation”.

Mariani’s departure comes after Robert Reid resigned as the deputy president for sport back in April.

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Over the past year, the FIA has also parted ways with its head of compliance Paolo Basarri, head of the audit committee Bertrand Badre, committee member Tom Purves, and chief executive officer Natalie Robyn.

There have also been exits from its race stewarding team, with Niels Wittich leaving his role as race director, while senior F1 steward Tim Mayer and deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan departed too. Johnny Herbert was also dropped from his role as an F1 steward.

An FIA statement quoted Alessandra Malhamé, Senior HR Director and member of the FIA Global Management Team, saying: “The FIA is committed to advancing opportunities for women within the organisation, and across mobility and motorsport.

“We have advanced our internal talent acquisition and development programmes, and are proud that 32% of our workforce are women in a male-dominated industry. Of those women, almost half are in senior roles across departments including operations, communications, mobility and sport. Two roles on the senior leadership team are filled by women.

“We will continue to build on these foundations to ensure that brilliant female talent can flourish in our Federation in the years to come.”