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With only three races left, the FIA has announced that race director Niels Wittich is resigning immediately to explore new opportunities.
Wittich was brought in as one of two new race directors after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Initially sharing the role with WEC race director Eduardo Freitas, he later took over full-time.
“The FIA confirms Niels Wittich’s departure from his role as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities,” stated the FIA. “Niels has carried out his duties as Race Director with professionalism and dedication. We appreciate his efforts and wish him all the best in the future.”
Starting next weekend, Rui Marques, the former F2 and F3 race director for the past two years, will assume the F1 role.
“Rui brings extensive experience, having served as a track marshal, scrutineer, national and international steward, Deputy Race Director, and Race Director in various championships,” the FIA noted. “Most recently, he was the Formula 2 and Formula 3 Race Director.”
While it may raise eyebrows, Wittich could have delayed his pursuit of “new opportunities” for just one more month, but he chose otherwise.
Wittich joins the list of notable departures from the governing body of the sport, which seems to be at odds with different factions within the sport. While Ben Sulayem’s initial disagreements with F1 bosses seem to have settled, there are now criticisms against the FIA from drivers. They claim the FIA does not treat them like adults and question where the fines they are imposed actually go.
So far this year, drivers have been fined a total of €327,500.00.
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