Formula One’s race director, Niels Wittich, has stepped down from his role with immediate effect, the FIA confirmed Tuesday.
Wittich has served as the race director who oversees the running of F1 races since the start of 2022, when he was appointed as one of two race directors to replace Michael Masi in the wake of the controversial end to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi.
Wittich was ultimately appointed into the role full-time by the end of 2022 but has now departed from the position with three races remaining this season.
In a statement issued by the FIA, F1’s governing body said Wittich had left the role “to pursue new opportunities.”
“Niels has fulfilled his numerous responsibilities as race director with professionalism and dedication,” the FIA said. “We thank him for his commitment and we wish him the best for the future.”
As of next weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, taking place Nov. 21-23, Rui Marques will take over as race director.
🚨 F1’s race director, Niels Wittich, has stepped down “to pursue new opportunities” according to the FIA.
He will be replaced from the Las Vegas Grand Prix by Rui Marques, who has most recently been the F2 and F3 race director #F1
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) November 12, 2024
“Rui brings a wealth of experience having previously served as track marshal, scrutineer, national and international steward, deputy race director and race director in various championships,” the FIA said. “Most recently, he held the position of Formula 2 and Formula 3 race director.”
Wittich’s departure comes after a number of controversial decisions surrounding drivers’ actions on-track in recent weeks, chiefly surrounding F1 title protagonists Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
As race director, Wittich is tasked with overseeing the running of the race and noting any potential incidents, which are then ruled upon by a group of four stewards that support him on a race weekend.
The incidents have led to drivers calling for greater clarity over the racing rules in F1, with a revision of the guidelines about what is and is not allowed in wheel-to-wheel battles from the Qatar Grand Prix at the end of the month.
The F1 drivers’ union, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), recently expressed its concerns with drivers’ treatment over alleged misconduct after Verstappen and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc were sanctioned for swearing during an FIA news conference.
The GPDA called on the FIA’s president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to be careful of his tone when discussing their actions, as well as saying: “Our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewelry and underpants.”
The extra scrutiny of drivers wearing jewelry and the correct underwear while in the car happened under Wittich’s watch. He was appointed into the role by Sulayem alongside Eduardo Freitas, who was dropped from the rotation after a couple of incidents at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2022.
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