Niels Wittich has stepped down because the FIA’s Formulation 1 race director to pursue new alternatives and will probably be changed with fast impact.
The German was one in every of two FIA race administrators – alongside Eduardo Freitas – put in place at first of the 2022 season to interchange Michael Masi, and took on the everlasting place from that 12 months’s Japanese Grand Prix onwards. Now after two years within the position, the FIA has introduced Wittich’s departure, with former F2 and F3 race director Rui Marques taking up for the ultimate three races of this season.
“The FIA can affirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his place as F1 race director to pursue new alternatives,” an FIA assertion learn. “Niels has fulfilled his quite a few tasks as race director with professionalism and dedication. We thank him for his dedication and we want him the most effective for the long run.
“Rui Marques will assume the position of race director from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Rui brings a wealth of expertise having beforehand served as observe marshal, scrutineer, nationwide and worldwide steward, deputy race director and race director in varied championships. Most not too long ago, he held the place of Formulation 2 and Formulation 3 race director.”
The final race that Wittich oversaw was the Sao Paulo Grand Prix that required a whole change in schedule as a result of climate, with qualifying happening early on the Sunday morning and that includes 5 crimson flags, earlier than the race itself had an analogous interruption.
Wittich is the most recent of quite a few high-profile departures from the FIA, with CEO Natalie Robyn, sporting director Steve Nielsen, single-seater technical director Tim Goss and girls in motorsport president Deborah Mayer all leaving inside the previous 12 months.
