Niels Wittich has stepped down as the FIA’s Formula 1 race director to pursue new opportunities and will be replaced with immediate effect.
The German was one of two FIA race directors – alongside Eduardo Freitas – put in place at the start of the 2022 season to replace Michael Masi, and took on the permanent position from that year’s Japanese Grand Prix onwards. Now after two years in the role, the FIA has announced Wittich’s departure, with former F2 and F3 race director Rui Marques taking over for the final three races of this season.
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“The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 race director to pursue new opportunities,” an FIA statement read. “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.
“Rui Marques will assume the role of race director from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. 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. Most recently, he held the position of Formula 2 and Formula 3 race director.”
The last race that Wittich oversaw was the Sao Paulo Grand Prix that required a complete change in schedule due to the weather, with qualifying taking place early on the Sunday morning and featuring five red flags, before the race itself had a similar interruption.
Wittich is the latest of a number of high-profile departures from the FIA, with CEO Natalie Robyn, sporting director Steve Nielsen, single-seater technical director Tim Goss and women in motorsport president Deborah Mayer all leaving within the past 12 months.