F1 Race Director Niels Wittich Leaves Role Ahead of Las Vegas GP
It has been announced by the FIA that Formula 1 Race Director Niels Wittich has left his role as race director with immediate effect just days before the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The official reason given in the FIA’s statement was that Wittich is "pursuing new opportunities," but reports suggest the situation is more complicated.
The FIA also announced in the statement that Wittich, who took on the role full-time in 2023, would be replaced by Rui Marques, who previously served as race director in Formula 2 and 3. He will begin in the role at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The FIA praised Marques' extensive experience in their announcement, which includes positions as a track marshal, scrutineer, and steward in various championships. He'll be stepping into a high-pressure environment with both drivers’ and constructors’ titles still up for grabs this season.
Wittich’s departure adds to the list of people that have left under FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has seen several senior figures leave in recent months, including Sporting Director Steve Nielsen and single-seater technical director Tim Goss. Wittich's exit follows recent tensions over the FIA's racing guidelines after disputes between drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris during the U.S. Grand Prix.
Though Wittich’s tenure was less controversial than his predecessor Michael Masi, who was ousted after the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there have been ongoing complaints about race management. It's unclear if Wittich’s departure is related to these criticisms or the latest controversies involving Ben Sulayem’s leadership style.
The timing of Wittich's exit raises questions, as the F1 season is approaching its end, with only three races left in the season. However, with Marques stepping in, the FIA hopes for a smooth transition as the series heads to Las Vegas for the highly anticipated penultimate race.
