Shaila-Ann Rao: Former Mercedes lawyer at centre of Red Bull F1 cost cap row leaves FIA

The FIA have announced that Shaila-Ann Rao has left her role as interim Secretary General for Motor Sport after six months. 
Mohammed Bin Sulayem (UAE) FIA Presi
Mohammed Bin Sulayem (UAE) FIA Presi

Rao was appointed to the position following the departure of Peter Bayer in June, having previously worked directly alongside Toto Wol൩ff as a🦋 legal advisor for Mercedes. 

She immediately found herself at the centre of Red Bull’s 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 cost cap controversy after the team were168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: penalised for breaching the $145m spending li𒆙mit for 2021. 

Remote video URL

Red Bull expressed their worries that confidꦆential information about breach🧜es of the cost cap had been leaked to rival teams as early as the Singapore Grand Prix. 

"The accusations made in Singapore were extremely upsetting for every single member of staff, all our partners, everyone involved within Red Bul♋l," said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. 

"Obviously, any form of leakage is hugely worrying. It's somethingꩵ that we expect to be folღlowed up.”

Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 22,
Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. Formula 1…

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said it was “strange” how the leaksಌ had emerged, alluding to the involvement of Rao in overseeing the process. 

Roa’s previous links to Mercedes had raised some concern from rival F1 teams but the FIA have strenuously denied any insinuation that any leaks over the cost cap came from within their organisation. The FIA maintain such ins♔inuations are completely baseless.

Three days after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, t💯he FIA confirmed her exit in a statement.

“Shaila-Ann successfully managed this transition period, providing valuable support and assistan♌ce to the FIA President and the organisation during this period which is now co🤪ming to an end,” the statement read. 

“Shaila-Ann will now therefore be leaving the FIA❀ following the end of the Formula 1 Season. The F𝓀IA thanks Shaila-Ann for her support during this period.”

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “On behalf of everyone at the FIA, I would like to thank Shaila-Ann for her invaluable contributi🌊on in her role as Interim Secretary General for Motor Sport during an important transitional phase for the organisation. 

“In particular, Shaila-Ann has provided me with great support in respect to Formula🦩 1, alw𝄹ays acting with professionalism and integrity."

Read More