With just three races remaining, the FIA has announced that race director Niels Wittich is stepping down with immediate effect to "pursue new opportunities".

Wittich was one of two new race directors brought in following the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He initially shared the role with WEC race director Eduardo Freitas, before taking over full-time later that same year.

"The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities," said the FIA 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."

From next weekend, Rui Marques, who has been the F2 and F3 race director for the last two years, will take over the F1 role.

"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," said the FIA. "Most recently, he held the position of Formula 2 and Formula 3 Race Director."

Without wishing to kick off another conspiracy theory, one would have thought that Wittich could have put off those "new opportunities" he wishes to "pursue" for just one more month, but clearly not.

Indeed Wittich is the latest in a long line of high-profile departures from the sport's governing body, which is looking to be increasingly at odds with various factions within the sport. While Ben Sulayem's initial issues with F1 bosses appear to have settled, under his governance the FIA is now under attack from the drivers, who have accused it of not treating them like adults whilst also questioning where the monies from the various fined levied on them actually ends up.

Thus far this year, drivers have been fine no less than €327,500.00.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by The stogie, 21/11/2024 22:36

"The brutal, inconsistent and head scratching volunteer Steward's Program is the one that should have been fired and replaced with a professional, fully trained, consistent AND paid race direction team."

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2. Posted by kenji, 15/11/2024 1:37

"@Wokingchap usually these days businesses fear litiguous activity and the safest way to negotiate terminations is by way of applying some financial 'grease'. NDA's are 'de rigeur' and then the parties can go about their merry way happy in the knowledge that everyone's a victim...may it serve you well!"

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3. Posted by Wokingchap, 14/11/2024 17:09

"Odd how nobody ever gets officially fired."

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4. Posted by Spindoctor, 14/11/2024 8:01

"@Simon - It really does!"

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5. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 13/11/2024 21:00

"@ Max
"Foxtrot Oscar" is usually a good one....."

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6. Posted by kenji, 13/11/2024 10:35

"Easy to solve any problem between now and the season end....bring back Michael Masi."

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7. Posted by Editor, 13/11/2024 9:38

"@ Hobgoblin

Totally agree"

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8. Posted by Hobgoblin, 13/11/2024 9:19

"My first thought is that he didn't want to be involved in ensuring the narrative remains on track until the last race.
If he has been fired as he suggests, maybe he refused to ensure that the narrative stayed on track..."

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9. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 13/11/2024 3:13

"Makes you long for the days of Max and Bernie."

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10. Posted by Max Noble, 13/11/2024 0:41

"I hope he didn’t say any “choice” words as he walked out the door! :-)"

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11. Posted by Burton, 12/11/2024 18:18

"As the article says, lots of people have left top jobs in the FIA so this looks bad on paper. As for Wittich himself I can't say I'll miss him, he clearly drank Liberty's "show before sport" koolaid and was very happy doing red-flag/standing restarts willy-nilly, delayed obvious safety car deployments to seemingly spice up races, etc. Hell, maybe he'll get a job at FOM!"

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12. Posted by OwningXylophone, 12/11/2024 17:31

"Christian Menarh is reporting on the hellhole that is X that Wittich told him he was fired, he didn’t resign. I think we probably all thought this was the case, but if that’s true, the fact he’s already disagreeing with the narrative the FIA are spinning makes me think we’re in for a spicy few days.

*grabs popcorn*"

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F1 race director Niels Wittich has stepped down with immediate effect

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