FIA promotes Paul Burns to deputy race director role in Formula 1
The FIA has appointed Paul Burns as Formula 1âs new deputy race director, elevating him to work alongside current race director Rui Marques.
The move follows the departure of Claire Dubbelman, who left the governing body at the start of 2026 to join the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. Her exit left the deputy position vacant for the opening two rounds of the season before the FIA confirmed Burns as her successor.
Burns steps up to senior F1 role
Burns arrives with relevant experience across multiple categories. He served as assistant Formula 2 race director through 2025 and held similar responsibilities in Formula 4 and Formula Regional at the Macau Grand Prix.
The Northern Irishman previously worked at Formula One Management as part of its timekeeping team, where he was involved in signing off race results at grands prix. That role followed earlier timekeeping positions at various circuits in the UK and Ireland.
He joined the FIA in 2023 as part of its Formula 1 race operations team before taking on operational duties across junior categories â experience that has now culminated in his promotion to one of the most senior officiating roles in the sport.
Dubbelman explains her departure
Dubbelman, who spent nearly a decade at the FIA, addressed her decision publicly earlier this year.
"After almost a decade at the FIA, I felt that I had reached a point where I had maximised every opportunity available to me within the organisation," she wrote. "This move is not about walking away from the FIA, but stepping into a role in a new environment that challenges me at the next level."
She described her move as an opportunity to contribute to the sport from a new perspective.
"It provides me with a perspective to contribute and develop the sport in a way that I didn't see possible in my previous role. I am genuinely excited about being in Saudi [Arabia] and there is so much opportunity here."
"By being here, I feel like I am part of its future, helping the Saudi Motorsport Federation to pave the way; facilitating talent and infrastructure for the sport to thrive."
With Burns now installed as deputy race director, the FIA has filled a key operational role at the heart of Formula 1âs race control structure ahead of the remainder of the 2026 season.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.