Sacked F1 race director speaks out on controversial FIA exit

Dismissed F1 race director Niels Wittich has revealed the complete lack of clarity afforded him by the FIA over his departure late last year.

The German was removed from his position in the run up to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a move he claims was "just as surprising" for him as it was for the rest of the F1 paddock.

Having solely held the job since late in the 2022 season, the 52-year-old was well embedded in his role and did not see his firing coming.

"I saw no indications that anything wasn’t working or that there was any reason to make a personnel change," Wittich told Sky Sports Germany in his first public remarks over the episode. "So, in that sense, it all came as a complete surprise - to this day."

It also came in the midst of heightened tensions between the F1 drivers, through the Grand Prix Drivers' Association and the FIA's president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who declined to justify Wittich's sacking to them, saying it was none of the drivers' business.

When asked whether he sought an explanation from the FIA at the time of his dismissal, Wittich confirmed he had, but to no avail: "I did, in fact. 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 [April].

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

Wittich: 'I just have to accept it for what it is'

Wittich, who described how the situation unfolded as "a shame", was replaced by F2 and FIA F3 race director Rui Marques for the remainder of the campaign.

He is expected to remain in the post for the start of the 2025 F1 season, but will not be the sole holder of the position, as confirmed by Ben Sulayem himself.

Reflecting on his time in the role, Wittich added: "It was an incredible pleasure to work with such a fantastic team and to oversee such an amazing series.

"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."