Wittich still clueless on FIA axe: ‘It came as a complete surprise’

Nearly four months after his abrupt exit as Formula 1 race director, Niels Wittich remains baffled by the FIA’s decision to dismiss him from his role.

Speaking publicly for the first time since his exit as a guest commentator on Sky Germany during Bahrain’s pre-season testing, Wittich revealed that he’s still in the dark about why he was ousted.

His departure, announced ahead of the Last Vegas GP weekend last November, stunned the paddock and reignited criticism of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

With no official explanation forthcoming, Wittich’s reflections paint a picture of a sudden, unexplained end to his tenure, leaving a lingering question mark over the sport’s governance.

A Shocking Exit

Wittich's appointment as race director ahead of the 2022 season, initially alongside Eduardo Freitas, was intended to address the controversy surrounding his predecessor, Michael Masi, and the 2021 Abu Dhabi season finale.

From late 2022, Wittich served as the sole race director, steering the sport through a period of significant change. However, his abrupt dismissal caught everyone off guard – including him.

“I saw no indications that anything wasn’t working or that there was any reason to make a personnel change,” he admitted.

“So, in that sense, it all came as a complete surprise. To this day,” he remarked.

What was meant to be a routine weekend in Vegas turned into a bombshell. But for Wittich, the news was “just as surprising” as it was for fans and drivers, sparking a wave of frustration across F1.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff equated the decisions and drama emanating from the governing body to a trival “realty show”.

The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) also voiced its concerns, with director George Russell stating, "Some drivers are really fed up with the situation because it just keeps going in the wrong direction."

No Answers from the FIA

In Las Vegas, reports claimed that the decision to sideline Wittich was ordered unilaterally by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, without a shred of input from the teams or drivers who would be directly affected.

In the weeks that followed, F1’s former race director sought clarity with the FIA, in vain however.

“I did, in fact [try to get clarification]. But no one could give me an answer,” he said.

“To this day, no reason has been given to me. And the last time I spoke with the FIA president was last year in China.

“So I can’t say that we had any kind of falling out or a negative relationship. I had relatively little contact with him.”

Reflecting on a Lost Role

Despite the abrupt and unexplained end to his tenure, Wittich reflected on his time as F1’s chief steward with a sense of pride.

"It was an incredible pleasure to work with such a fantastic team and to oversee such an amazing series," he said.

"Well, Formula 1 can be quite fast-moving when it comes to personnel, whether on the team side or among officials. I just have to accept it for what it is."

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