Remembering Robert Fernley: A Remarkable Figure in Motorsport
The motorsport world mourns the loss of Robert Fernley, the former boss of the Force India Formula 1 team, who passed away at the age of 70. Fernley, a close associate of Vijay Mallya, held the position at the Silverstone-based team from its inception as Force India in 2008 until 2018 when Lawrence Stroll acquired the team and rebranded it as Racing Point.
Hailing from Stockport, Fernley’s early involvement in Formula 1 came through his association with the Ensign team in the early 1980s, where he played a key role in helping Jim Crawford secure the 1982 British championship title. The duo then ventured into the CanAm series, where Crawford achieved back-to-back runner-up finishes in 1983 and 1984 with a converted Ensign car.
Fernley’s motorsport endeavors also extended to the IndyCar series during the 1980s. He was involved in running the Canadian Tire team alongside Jacques Villeneuve Sr. and managed the Mike Curb entry for Ed Pimm in the 1986 Indianapolis 500. However, he later took a hiatus from racing and embarked on various projects outside the industry. These included introducing carbon fiber technology to the Chinese space program, engaging with the Danish fishing industry, and even venturing into the hotel business.
It was Fernley’s close friendship with Vijay Mallya that ultimately drew him back into the international motorsport arena. When Mallya purchased the Spyker team in 2007, Fernley became his trusted confidant, acting as Mallya’s eyes and ears both at the track and in the Silverstone factory. He played a pivotal role in managing the team’s interactions with the FIA, Formula 1 organizers, and the media.
Force India’s early years were challenging, with the team finishing 10th in the world championship in its first season under the Force India banner in 2008. However, the team’s fortunes improved when it forged a partnership with Mercedes the following year. One of the early highlights was Giancarlo Fisichella securing pole position at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix and finishing the race in second place.
Over the course of its existence, Force India saw several drivers pass through its doors, including Tonio Liuzzi, Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez, and Esteban Ocon. The team also provided an opportunity for a young George Russell to conduct early Formula 1 testing and participate in FP1 sessions.
Under the leadership of Fernley and chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer, Force India steadily progressed, consistently outperforming teams with larger budgets. The team achieved fifth place in the championship in 2015 and followed it up with fourth-place finishes in both 2016 and 2017.
However, financial constraints started to tighten, and the team faced a crisis in the summer of 2018. With Vijay Mallya embroiled in legal troubles in his home country, Force India went into administration. During the summer break after the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lawrence Stroll acquired the team’s assets and relaunched it as Racing Point, marking the end of Fernley’s involvement with the team.
In a surprising turn of events, Fernley made a return to the Indianapolis 500 in 2019, overseeing McLaren’s entry with Fernando Alonso. Unfortunately, the venture did not yield the desired results, as Alonso failed to qualify for the race.
Following his time with McLaren, Fernley assumed the role of head of the FIA’s single-seater commission in 2020, succeeding Stefano Domenicali. He played a significant role in promoting young engineering talent through his association with the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering at the University of Bolton. In recognition of his contributions to engineering, Fernley was awarded an honorary doctorate by the institution in 2019.
Beyond his professional commitments, Fernley indulged his passion for historic racing. With the assistance of students, he participated in events with a 1981 Ensign N180B. Notably, three-time Formula 1 race winner Johnny Herbert had the opportunity to drive the car.
The news of Fernley’s passing shocked the motorsport community. Otmar Szafnauer, current team principal of the Alpine F1 team, paid tribute to his former colleague, highlighting Fernley’s integral role in navigating the team through political challenges, allowing others to focus on racing and improving performance.
Robert Fernley’s untimely departure leaves a void in the racing community. His dedication, contributions, and warm personality will be dearly missed. As we remember his remarkable journey, we celebrate his lasting impact on motorsport and the invaluable legacy he leaves behind.