The president of Formula 1’s governing body denied ordering a recent wave of staff dismissals that included the removal of the race director with three events remaining in the season.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has told Formula One drivers to mind their own business after they asked where money from race fines was going and why senior figures had left the governing body. In an interview with Reuters ahead of Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix,

A defiant FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has dismissed talk of turmoil within the governing body, and told Formula 1 drivers it is “none of their business” how he runs things. Ben Sulayem has found himself under the spotlight recently in the wake of a host of high-level departures from the FIA – which has included F1 race director Niels Wittich.

LUSAIL, Qatar — Jack Doohan is poised to replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine for the Formula One Abu Dhabi season finale after talks this weekend in Qatar. Alpine announced in August that Doohan, its reserve driver, would step up to a full-time seat for 2025 and replace Ocon, who had signed a deal in July to join Haas.

Esteban Ocon may have an early end to the season at Alpine, according to rumours in the Qatar paddock. If they are proved to be correct, Ocon would be replaced by Jack Doohan, who already has a contract signed with the team for next season.