FIA appoints Paul Burns as deputy F1 race director

The FIA has promoted Paul Burns to the role of deputy Formula 1 race director, filling the vacancy left by Claire Dubbelman's departure earlier this year. Burns, who has extensive experience in race operations and timekeeping, will now support lead race director Rui Marques in managing F1 events.

Why it matters:

The deputy race director plays a critical role in the smooth and consistent operation of Grand Prix weekends, assisting with on-track decisions and regulatory enforcement. A stable and experienced team in race control is essential for maintaining the integrity and fairness of competition, especially following a period of high-profile personnel changes within the FIA's F1 operations.

The details:

• The position became vacant when Claire Dubbelman left the FIA at the start of 2026 to join the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
• Paul Burns, a Northern Irish official, was promoted internally after joining the FIA's F1 race operations team in 2023.
• Proven Experience: Burns brings relevant experience from the junior categories, having served as the assistant Formula 2 race director through 2025 and performing similar duties for F4 and Formula Regional at the Macau Grand Prix.
• Technical Background: Prior to the FIA, Burns worked for Formula One Management (FOM) as part of its timekeeping team, where he was involved in signing off official race results—a role that demands precision and a deep understanding of sporting regulations.
• Dubbelman's Departure: In an Instagram post, the former deputy director explained her move was a career progression step, stating she had "maximised every opportunity" at the FIA and saw a new role in Saudi Arabia as a chance to "contribute and develop the sport" in a different capacity.

What's next:

Burns will immediately assume his duties alongside Rui Marques. His promotion from within the FIA's own ranks suggests a preference for continuity and institutional knowledge as the governing body stabilizes its race control team for the remainder of the 2026 season and beyond.