In recent months, race directors have become a very recurrent topic of conversation since the controversy at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, which ended with the dismissal of Michael Masi.
This season, Formula 1 has opted for a rotation system in its race director position between Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas , who had previously held the same position in the DTM and WEC.
At a press conference during the World Rally Championship 50th anniversary gala dinner at Rally de Portugal, Ben Sulayem revealed that rally co-drivers could become circuit race directors, due to organizational skills and decision-making. decisions required in high-pressure scenarios.
He believes “100 percent” that co -drivers who undergo the training and education that is necessary to be a race director, could work their way up through a pyramid to Formula 1 without much trouble.
“Honestly, it’s a challenge to look for more race directors, so what do we need to do?” Ben Sulayem told media in attendance, including Motorsport.com, when asked to clarify his thoughts on the aforementioned possibility.
“We can’t just sign them, buy them or rent them. We have to make sure that we recruit them and then give them the necessary training, to have more than three people in the same position. What I mean is that we should have a rotation.”
“When I look at the efficiency and the structure that is needed, I think the rally co-drivers are the most suitable because they take care of everything; the planning, the organization, the route, the fuel and so on. Everything is done by them,” he added.
“So we thought it would be a good idea to bring people from there and of course go through a process to give them the necessary training and then see if they fit the role.”
“I believe and I am confident that we will find the right co-drivers. And I think this will come soon and we are studying it with the whole [FIA] team, I am confident.”
In reference to whether he thought co-drivers could properly handle a race director position in a series like F1, he said: “Formula 1 race directors, 100 per cent.”
“First you have to train them and test them in other categories, for example in the WEC and circuit racing, and then you create a pyramid so that everyone goes through the proper process,” concluded the new FIA president, Ben Sulayem .
