Former Force India F1 Team Principal Robert Fernley has passed away aged 70 on 30 June 2023, leaving behind a significant legacy in motorsport management.
Robert Fernley died
Robert Fernley, former deputy team principal of Force India, sadly passed away aged 70 on 30 June 2023. With extensive experience in motorsport management, Fernley played a key role in running Force India for a decade under controversial owner Vijay Mallya.
He was known for his jovial personality and effectively served as the team’s de facto leader during Mallya’s limited presence at the races. Despite financial constraints, Fernley’s stewardship led to significant achievements for Force India, including podium finishes in Formula One.
After the team was sold to Lawrence Stroll, Fernley moved to McLaren’s Indycar project, but was later fired. His contribution to the sport will be remembered, and personalities such as F1 president Stefan Domenicali paid tribute to him.
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What happened to Robert Fernley?
Robert ‘Bob’ Fernley, the former senior manager of Force India, has sadly passed away at the age of 70, his former team Aston Martin has confirmed. Fernley has had a long and distinguished career in motorsport, including stints with IndyCar and the Ensign team.
He joined Force India in 2008 and served as deputy team boss for more than a decade, working closely with owner Vijay Mallya. Following the sale of Force India, Fernley moved to head McLaren’s IndyCar program under CEO Zak Brown. His contribution to the sport will be remembered and his loss is deeply felt by the racing community.
How did former Force India F1 boss Robert Fernley die?
There is currently no information available on Robert Fernley’s cause of death. Details surrounding his death have not been made public.
Former Force India deputy team principal Robert Fernley has sadly passed away aged 70 on 30 June 2023, sparking tributes from the motorsport community. While officially holding the title of deputy team manager, Fernley played a key role as Vijay Mallya’s key representative in running the team for most of its 15-year existence.
Under Fernley’s leadership, Force India achieved impressive results, including fourth in the championship in 2016 and 2017, despite operating on a shoestring budget compared to the best teams in the sport. However, financial difficulties eventually led to the team being taken over by Lawrence Stroll’s consortium in 2018, marking the end of Fernley’s tenure.
Throughout his career, Fernley was known for his outspoken criticism of those he believed were contributing to the financial challenges facing teams in Formula 1.
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley died at the age of 70
Robert Fernley, the former boss of the Force India Formula 1 team, has died at the age of 70. Fernley had a distinguished career in motorsport management and was best known for his role as Deputy Team Principal at Force India.
He played a significant role in the team’s success, including overseeing a podium finish and helping the team achieve impressive results despite limited resources. Fernley’s contribution to the sport will be remembered and the motorsport community mourns his passing.
Who was Robert Fernley?
Robert George Fernley was a highly regarded British motorsport manager and businessman who held prominent positions in the racing industry. Known for his expertise in managing racing teams, particularly in the IndyCar series, Fernley developed a close relationship with Vijay Mallya. When Mallya took over the Spyker F1 team and transformed it into Force India, Fernley quickly became part of the team’s leadership as deputy team director.
He oversaw the team’s operations during race weekends and dealt with engagements with the FIA and Formula 1. Fernley left Force India after the team’s assets were bought by a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll in August 2018.
In November 2018, Fernley took on the role of chairman of McLaren’s Indianapolis 500 project, reporting to McLaren CEO Zak Brown. However, after Fernando Alonso failed to qualify for the 2019 Indianapolis 500, McLaren decided not to renew Fernley’s contract.
In December 2020, Fernley took over as chairman of the FIA’s Single-Seater Commission, succeeding Stefano Domenicali. His tenure in this role marked his continued contribution to the motorsport community. Sadly, Robert Fernley passed away on June 30, 2023 at the age of 70, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of motorsport.
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Source: HIS Education