Brundle slates FIA over 'extreme revolving door'

Martin Brundle has criticised the FIA's "revolving door" as "extreme" following another high-profile departure in Niels Wittich.

Race director Wittich was removed from his post between the Sao Paulo and Las Vegas Grands Prix in a sudden decision that was not widely expected, with Rui Marques appointed as his replacement. 

In the past year, the FIA has lost a number of senior personnel, with F1 drivers also recently writing an open letter to President Mohammed Ben Sulayem asking to be treated "like adults" following a number of controversies under his leadership. 

Brundle believes that the governing body does not have enough time to "sort themselves out" instead of talking with the drivers.

"Clearly, the FIA revolving door of senior personnel is extreme, and you would have to worry about it, and I don't think they've got time to sort themselves out, let alone talk to the drivers," he explained on Sky Sports F1.

"The drivers are miffed, and I don't blame them for that after reading on social media that the race director changed with three races to go. 

"It is very difficult to rationalise Niels Wittich's [departure], so until we understand more about it and whatever they were dissatisfied with, it is very difficult to comment on whether it is a good or bad decision.

"But coming into what is a very difficult race, there no doubt it is not optimum, and surely you would wait until the winter."

Drivers have a right to make themselves heard

Fellow Sky pundit Danica Patrick insisted that the drivers had a right to speak up and offer their opinions on a variety of matters as they "risked their lives out there."

"I don't think that whenever the organisation tries to be bigger than the driver and the talent within it, it works out well," the former NASCAR and IndyCar racer explained.

"It doesn't mean that [the drivers] are going to call the shots, but you've got to work with them, they are your gladiators out there, you have to hear them, and at the end of the day, they're the ones risking their life out there. 

"So with Niels being gone, that is the person that ultimately helps them be safe and makes good calls out there and give penalties when they are needed. 

"From a driver's perspective, you always want to feel heard and anytime you feel like your voice doesn't matter at all when you're playing such a big role in the sport, it just doesn't sit well."