F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races left in the season has left Formula 1’s top drivers stunned, with many questioning the timing and rationale behind the decision.

Wittich, who had been at the helm of race control since the start of the 2022 season, has been replaced by Rui Marques starting at this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The move has sparked confusion and unease across the paddock, and especially among the driver community, with three-time world champion Max Verstappen describing the situation as “weird.”

“Of course it is a bit weird with three races to go to do that,” commented the Red Bull driver on Wednesday evening in Las Vegas.

“It doesn’t matter if you are positive or negative about certain things, and I thought in Brazil, for example, there was definitely room for improvement, but it is still weird now having to deal with a different race director.”

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The Dutchman, who will be chasing a fourth title in Las Vegas, also questioned the practicality of the decision, suggesting that a switch in such a critical role should ideally be made during the offseason.

“Normally if you want to change a race director then do it after the season, and then you have a bit of time for the race director himself to get up to speed with things,” he said.

“Then you have pre-season testing, and you get into your role a bit more. But let’s see how it goes. They have decided it, and we have to deal with it.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc echoed Verstappen’s sentiments, admitting that the news of Wittich’s removal caught the drivers off guard.

“Yeah, that came out a bit of nowhere,” Leclerc admitted. “I think we were all surprised. More than speaking about the decision, which we can all have our own opinion [about], I think the timing was a bit surprising, and to do it so late in the season at such a crucial moment. It could have probably been managed in a better way.”

Leclerc also emphasized that the move does not fundamentally change the drivers’ ongoing discussions with the FIA, but it highlights the work needed to improve the relationship.

“There are things to improve, for sure, and we are trying to work with the FIA to make it better. But yeah, quite surprised with the timing of that.”

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was equally taken aback by the news, stating that Wittich had always done a "reasonable job" as race director.

“I had no idea that anything was even being planned,” the Aussie said. “I actually heard it from someone else, one of the other drivers, or an article somewhere. So it was definitely a bit of a surprise.

“I think on the whole, Niels was doing a reasonable job. I think there were some things that we wanted to improve, some things got better, some maybe didn’t, but, yeah, I certainly don’t think it warranted an immediate sacking.

“I don't know how it got phrased, but it seems like a bit of a different picture than how it was phrased, so I don't know.

“We'll see what the new race director is like. I've not had any experience with him before.”

Outgoing Ferrari charger Carlos Sainz underscored the importance of a cooperative relationship between the drivers and the officiating race director.

“A lot of decisions that the race director takes are influenced by the feedback that we give about the track, the conditions and everything,” the Spaniard explained.

The Spaniard called for Marques to engage openly with the drivers as they adjust to the new leadership in the final races of the season.

“I think it's extremely important, that co-operation and that collaboration between racing drivers and race director,” he said. “A lot of decisions that the race director takes are influenced by the feedback that we give about the track, the conditions and everything.

“I’m kindly asking from here just to the new one to be open-minded, to listen to us, to appreciate our feedback because if we say things with an intention of changing the track or we communicate something in the radio it is because we truly believe that.

“So we are just asking for cooperation, collaboration, and an open relationship - then everything should be smooth.

“I’m wishing the best because it's a tough job and he's been given a very tough task, which is to come into a championship with only three races left.”

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