Rao joined the FIA in June as its interim secretary basic for motorsport, changing Peter Bayer following his exit from the governing physique.
Rao beforehand labored on the FIA as its authorized director between 2016 and 2018 earlier than becoming a member of Mercedes, serving as basic counsel and later as a particular advisor to crew principal Toto Wolff.
Her return to the FIA sparked concern among some rivals, with Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto saying there needed to be assurances there could be no conflicts of curiosity given her prior hyperlinks.
Rao performed a job in overseeing the fee cap ruling in current months, informing Pink Bull F1 boss Christian Horner that his crew was in breach, the knowledge having already leaked out – one thing Pink Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested on German TV was “strange.”
Pink Bull was in the end handed a $7 million advantageous and am aerodynamic testing restriction for subsequent 12 months by the FIA, a sanction it labelled as “draconian” and “huge.”
In an announcement issued by the FIA on Wednesday, it was confirmed that Rao had left her place after working with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem by his first 12 months within the function.
“Shaila-Ann Rao returned to the FIA to help the brand new Presidential Workforce in the course of the transition interval as Interim Secretary Common for Motor Sport,” reads the assertion.
“Shaila-Ann efficiently managed this transition interval, offering worthwhile help and help to the FIA President and the organisation throughout this era which is now coming to an finish.
“Shaila-Ann will now subsequently be leaving the FIA following the top of the Components 1 Season. The FIA thanks Shaila-Ann for her help throughout this era.”
Toto Wolff, Workforce Principal and CEO, Mercedes AMG, with Mohammed bin Sulayem, President, FIA
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Ben Sulayem thanked Rao within the assertion for her “invaluable contribution” throughout her time with the FIA, saying she gave him “nice help in respect to Components 1, at all times performing with professionalism and integrity.”
Rao’s exit comes days after Ben Sulayem dismissed options of any pro-Mercedes hyperlinks inside the FIA.
“I’ll be very sincere with you, and I’ll defend my opinion, however relating to Shaila-Ann, there have been accusations that she is principally a supporter of Mercedes,” he stated.
“However truly, when the [cost cap] penalties had been there with each groups, she stated that’s a bit harsh from me.
“I seemed and stated: ‘My god, there’s somebody who’s accusing her of being with Mercedes, and she or he’s saying to me that it’s harsh on Pink Bull.’”
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