Formula 1 News: Race Director Niels Wittich to step down (Update)

Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has been fired and did not resign voluntarily.

The timing is very suspicious, just three races before the end of the season. The whole situation is fishy, especially considering the controversial decisions made in Austin, Mexico and Brazil.

Sky News reporter Craig Slater said “senior figures” up and down the paddock are “shocked and surprised” at the news, believing Wittich’s departure could be due to disagreements with controversial FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

When asked if he willingly stepped down, 52-year-old Wittich told motorsport-magazin.com: “I have not resigned.”

The report added that Wittich only heard the news shortly before the rest of the world.

Initially paired with Eduardo Freitas, Wittich replaced Michael Masi following the debacle of the 2021 championship finale when Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the title.

FIA Formula 1 Race Director Niels Wittich has left his role with immediate effect to pursue new opportunities.

Wittich has been in the job since 2022, initially sharing it with Eduardo Freitas as dual replacements for Michael Masi before taking on the job full-time in 2023.

But on Tuesday, the FIA announced Wittich had stepped down and will be replaced by Rui Marques from the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix onwards.

Marques has significant motorsport experience, having been a track marshal, scrutineer, national and international steward, Deputy Race Director and Race Director in various championships.

He was most recently F2 and F3 Race Director.

“The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities,” said the governing body in a statement.

“Niels has fulfilled his numerous responsibilities as Race Director with professionalism and dedication. We thank him for his commitment and we wish him the best for the future.”

The sudden news, with three races left to run in the current campaign, comes as a surprise, and it means F1 is now set for its fourth race director since the passing of Charlie Whiting, who died on the eve of the 2019 Australian Grand Prix.

Speaking to Motorsport.com earlier this year, FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem admitted the governing body is already struggling to find qualified race directors like Wittich and said the FIA would put together a new Officials Department to help train the next generation of race directors and stewards.

“If you look at our officials and race directors: we have an issue and the issue is that we don’t have [enough] race directors,” Ben Sulayem said. “You cannot order them on Amazon or Google. No, you have to make them, you have to train them.”