Jacques Villeneuve has pointed to the events that unfolded at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix earlier this month as possible reasons behind the ousting of FIA race director Niels Wittich.
Wittich’s abrupt dismissal this week by the governing body has sparked intense speculation within the motorsport community.
So far, the FIA has not provided a single clue on why Wittich was suddenly removed with just three races remaining on the F1 calendar.
It cited in its press release that the German had departed to “pursue other opportunities”. However, Wittich countered the FIA’s claim, insisting he was forced out of the role.
The Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, plagued by heavy rain, was marred by several contentious incidents, particularly during qualifying.
Red Bull, in particular, expressed frustration over the time it took for race control to deploy the red flag after Lance Stroll's crash in Q2, a delay that thwarted Max Verstappen's effort in the qualifying segment.
In hindsight, Villeneuve suggests the timing of Wittich’s departure was too coincidental for it to be unrelated to the recent controversies.
“Niels Wittich quitting is surprising with three races to go,” Villeneuve told Grosvenor Sport. “That is big news. I would want to know why.
“Maybe a lot of people were not happy with the Brazil calls. We don't know if there are some personal issues as well that have nothing to do with racing so let's not read into it too soon.
“It is surprising though to have a change like this with three races to go. He was a fixture, and quite strict and direct. Something has happened we are not privy to.”
Adding fuel to Villeneuve’s speculation, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan took aim at Wittich, accusing the FIA director of favoring Lando Norris by purposefully delaying the deployment of a red flag in qualifying that eliminated Verstappen from Q2.
Debating the issue with co-host David Coulthard on the pair’s Formula for Success podcast, Jordan went after Wittich with all guns blazing.
“I think it’s kind of found its natural place now where the luck of where the Safety Car comes out is the luck of the racing gods,” noted Coulthard.
“We have to assume that the race director never looks at things like where cars are as to whether…”
But Jordan begged to differ: “Of course he does! Of course he does!”
“Are you telling me that Max was dealt a fair deal? Was he dealt a fair deal when the red flag came out six cars, seven cars later? Come on David, don’t be stupid.
“You know the gods are in Lando’s hands. They want Lando to win this Championship. But he’s not going to, because Max has outfoxed him. That’s it.
“The red flag was wrong! It was a mistake! He f***** up, didn’t he!”
In the wake of Wittich’s exit, the FIA confirmed the appointment of Rui Marques as interim race director for the final three races of the season, starting next week in Las Vegas.
Marques, who previously served as a race director in Formula 2 and Formula 3, steps into the role at a critical juncture of the season.
With heightened scrutiny on race control, the Portuguese official will face immense pressure to ensure fair and decisive officiating.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and X
