The FIA is changing its face a few races before the end of the season. Rui Marques has been appointed race director, succeeding Niels Wittich, whose sudden departure surprised the paddock. Wittich, in post since 2022 after sharing his duties with Eduardo Freitas, was appointed full-time principal race director at the end of the 2022 season. The FIA then criticized Freitas for controversial handling of dangerous conditions during the Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka, where a recovery vehicle was allowed on the track in extremely limited visibility conditions.
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Wittich steps down as race director
However, the FIA released a statement last week announcing Wittich's immediate departure. “The FIA confirms that Niels Wittich has left his role as F1 racing director to pursue new opportunities. Niels fulfilled his many responsibilities with professionalism and dedication. We thank him for his commitment and wish him the best for the future. » A surprising choice with only three rounds remaining this season. Very quickly, the main interested party reacted to this statement. The former DTM championship director explains that he never wanted to leave his position but that he was simply fired. His recent decisions and his somewhat conflicting relationship with Mohamed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, undoubtedly played a role in this decision. To succeed him, she called on Rui Marques.
Immediate challenges for Rui Marques
Portuguese like Freitas, Marques has solid experience in other categories. He notably worked for the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation and was also assistant race director for the Touring Car World Cup. Last week, he officiated at the Macau Grand Prix, one of the most legendary races on the calendar. A strong experience which convinced the federation to offer him this position. “Rui Marques will assume the role of race director from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Rui brings a wealth of experience, having previously held positions such as track marshal, scrutineer, national and international marshal, assistant race director and race director in various championships. Most recently he served as racing director for Formula 2 and Formula 3. can we read in the rest of the press release.
The Portuguese also commented on his appointment. Aware of the challenge that awaits him, with a series of three consecutive races to end the season, he is counting on his experience acquired in Macau to fulfill his duties in the best possible way. “It’s not a question of surprise. Things are evolving, and the experience gained opens up these possibilities to us. I believe we all progress thanks to the categories we enter and the experience we accumulate. Macau is part of this experience. We use the experience acquired in Macau for street races and circuits of this kind. » Regarding his future and the prospect of him still being there in 2025, Rui Marques remained unclear. “For now, I will fulfill my duties until the end of the year. Then we will see »
Pressure to manage
A certain pressure nevertheless surrounds the Portuguese, his predecessors having been strongly criticized by drivers and teams like Michael Masi during the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and his controversial decision or more recently Niels Wittich and his lack of clarity in the battles between Verstappen and Norris. Challenges very different from what he has experienced previously. However, he will have to be ready to take them on this weekend in Las Vegas.
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