Niels Wittich ‘sacked’ as F1 race director after ‘falling out’ with FIA president

Niels Wittich, the FIA’s Formula One race director, has allegedly been fired with three races of the season remaining after what sources described as a falling out with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Motorsport’s world governing body released a statement on Tuesday afternoon saying Wittich, who arrived as a replacement for Michael Masi in 2022, had “stepped down from his position to pursue new opportunities”.

But the abruptness of his departure immediately seemed strange, with only three rounds of the season remaining and no time for a replacement to get up to speed. Multiple sources told Telegraph Sport that the German had in fact been fired.

Wittich then claimed the same to a reporter from motorsport-magazin.com, insisting he had not resigned and adding he was informed of his dismissal only just before the public confirmation in Geneva.

He will be replaced in Las Vegas next week by Rui Marques, most recently the race director for Formula 2 and Formula 3.

However capable Marques may be, it puts the Portuguese in an unenviable position as far as the championship denouement is concerned with McLaren trying to fend off Ferrari and Red Bull for the constructors’ crown, and Lando Norris hoping for a miracle in the drivers’ championship.

There has been a huge amount of discussion in recent weeks regarding the overtaking regulations in Formula One following a number of contentious calls, with Norris punished in Austin and then championship leader Max Verstappen in Mexico.

It is unclear whether Wittich’s departure is linked to those incidents. The FIA has not returned a request for comment. But it will certainly add further fuel to suggestions that Ben Sulayem is a chaotic ruler.

The 62-year-old former rally driver from the United Arab Emirates has been involved in a series of controversies since being elected just weeks after the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in which Verstappen won his maiden world championship.

Masi lost his job a few months after that for what was described as a “human error”, but Ben Sulayem’s relationship with Mercedes, and in particular Toto Wolff and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, has never really recovered.

The Emirati has also been taken to court in France by Susie Wolff, the managing director of the all-female F1 Academy series, over the FIA’s short-lived conflict-of-interest inquiry into her relationship with her husband.

Wittich’s abrupt departure is the latest in a long line of similar departures in the last two years. Telegraph Sport reported last year on the acrimonious exit of Shaila-Ann Rao, the FIA’s former interim secretary general for motorsport, who sent a letter alleging numerous instances of “unacceptable behaviour” on the part of Ben Sulayem prior to leaving in December 2022.

An influential member of the FIA’s ethics committee resigned soon afterwards following a disagreement over whether to investigate the Rao allegations.

Last December sporting director Steve Nielsen quit after less than a year in his role. His departure followed that of Deborah Mayer, the head of the FIA commission for women. In January, leading engineer Tim Goss left his role as single-seater technical director. And in May Natalie Robyn left her role as chief executive officer, external, after just 18 months in the post.

An FIA statement read: “The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities. 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.”

It was a day of departures in Formula One with Aston Martin confirming the news that Dan Fallows would depart as technical director pending the arrival of star designer Adrian Newey. Telegraph Sport reported at the Singapore race in September that former Red Bull designer Fallows would leave, although Aston Martin’s statement clarified that he would “remain with the Group”.

Meanwhile, Formula One has announced a season launch event at London’s O2 arena on February 18. The event, which will feature live music and star presenters in an awards-style ceremony, will feature all the teams, drivers and team principals ahead of the 2025 season. The O2’s capacity is 20,000. Tickets will range from £58-£113 plus booking fee.