The FIA has confirmed that long serving Formula 1 deputy race director Herbie Blash will step down from his role at the end of the year.
Blash has been a key part of Formula One Management after taking up the deputy race director role in 1996.
After a 50-year career in F1 overseeing more than 750 races, he has elected to leave his position which will be filled by former FIA safety director Laurent Mekies.
Blash began his career working with privateer Lotus entrant Rob Walker in 1965 before securing a race engineer role at the factory Lotus team there years later.
After leaving Lotus, he enjoyed sporting director roles at Brabham and Yamaha before taking up a position with the FIA alongside race director Charlie Whiting.
“I would personally like to thank Herbie for all of his hard work for the FIA over the past 21 years, and especially for his contribution in maintaining Formula 1’s place at the pinnacle of motor sport,” said FIA president Jean Todt.
“Along with Charlie, Herbie has been instrumental in the seamless running of grand prix races for over two decades, and we are pleased that he will continue to work with the FIA in future.”
“Replacing someone with Herbie’s immense experience was never going to be easy.
“However, we are fortunate to be able to appoint Laurent Mekies to this position.
“Combining his strong Formula One history and work as the FIA’s Safety Director, I am confident that he will ensure that the FIA’s flagship single-seater championship continues to set the benchmark for race management and safety.”