Ex-Force India F1 chief Fernley to replace Domenicali in FIA single-seater role
Former Force India Formula 1 deputy team principal Bob Fernley has taken on a new role as the head of the FIA's Single Seater Commission


Fernley replaces Stefano Domenicali, who will start his new job as the chairman and CEO of the F1 organisation next month.
Fernley was involved with the Ensign F1 team and Indycar racing in the 1980s before becoming a key player at Force India after his close friend Vijay Mallya bought the then Spyker team at the end of 2007.
However he left in the summer of 2018 after the team went into administration and was reborn under the Racing Point name.
In 2019 he had a brief spell as the head of McLaren's Indy 500 programme, which ended in frustration when Fernando Alonso failed to qualify.
He is also involved in promoting young engineering talent through an association with the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering at the University of Bolton.
The FIA Single Seater Commission role was held by Gerhard Berger before Domenicali took it over.
"I think the rebel has finally come into the establishment!" Fernley told Autosport.
"Obviously, I'm following in the footsteps of two very good predecessors in Gerhard and Stefano. So a lot of work to do for my side to equal and match what they've been doing over the years.
"It'll take me a few months to get my feet under the table as you can imagine.
"But, once we're underway with it, hopefully we can continue the good work that they've done, and maybe progress it on a little bit."

Much of the planned work of the commission has already been done in consolidating the single-seater ladder into a progression through F4, F3 and F2.
However, Fernley says there are still challenges ahead, particularly surrounding controlling costs.
"Both Gerhard and Stefano obviously put all that in place - but I think there's still probably work to be done, particularly on affordability," he said. "That's something I was very keen on, even at Force India.
"I see us still continuing that process to make sure we can get it as affordable as possible so as many people can take part as they can.
"It's about understanding where the categories are today because, obviously, I'm coming in new, and when people come in new you always have a different take on things, and you can have a look with new eyes, which is not a bad thing.
"But the most important thing is to continue the stewardship that has already been put in place, and work it through from there.
"We've still got a little bit of work to do, because superlicences are obviously approved through that commission. So it's quite a broad programme."

Wolff: F1 can learn from Alonso's 2005 Renault show run
Red Bull won't replace Aston Martin as title sponsor on 2021 F1 car

Latest news
Armstrong feels “confident” adapting to “very natural” IndyCar
Chip Ganassi Racing rookie Marcus Armstrong says he already feels confident in an IndyCar, after just two days of testing ahead of the 2023 season.
FIA reveals six F1 engine suppliers signed up for 2026
The FIA has revealed that six manufacturers have signed up for the next generation of Formula 1 engine regulations starting in 2026, including Red Bull Ford, Audi and Honda.
Red Bull to use fan-designed F1 livery for three US races in 2023
Red Bull will race with fan-designed liveries for the three Formula 1 races in the United States this year.
Red Bull unveils 2023 F1 livery in New York
Red Bull has unveiled the livery of its 2023 Formula 1 car at a New York launch event as it bids to defend both world championships.
Assessing Hamilton's remarkable decade as a Mercedes F1 driver
Many doubted Lewis Hamilton’s move from McLaren to Mercedes for the 2013 Formula 1 season. But the journey he’s been on since has taken the Briton to new heights - and to a further six world championship titles
Why new look Haas is a litmus test for Formula 1’s new era
OPINION: With teams outside the top three having struggled in Formula 1 in recent seasons, the rules changes introduced in 2022 should have more of an impact this season. How well Haas does, as the poster child for the kind of team that F1 wanted to be able to challenge at the front, is crucial
The Mercedes F1 pressure changes under 10 years of Toto Wolff
OPINION: Although the central building blocks for Mercedes’ recent, long-lasting Formula 1 success were installed before he joined the team, Toto Wolff has been instrumental in ensuring it maximised its finally-realised potential after years of underachievement. The 10-year anniversary of Wolff joining Mercedes marks the perfect time to assess his work
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
How do the best races of F1 2022 stack up to 2021?
OPINION: A system to score all the grands prix from the past two seasons produces some interesting results and sets a standard that 2023 should surely exceed
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.