Former F1 race director Niels Wittich has rejected the FIA’s claims that he stepped down from his role – and sensationally claimed he was sacked by the world motorsport governing body.
The FIA confirmed Wittich’s shock departure on Tuesday and announced Rui Marques as his replacement, starting from the Las Vegas Grand Prix next weekend.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the sport’s governing body explained: “The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities.
“Niels has fulfilled his numerous responsibilities as Race Director with professionalism and dedication. We thank him for his commitment and we wish him the best for the future.
But according to an account from Christian Menath, an F1 journalist working for Austrian outlet Motorsport-Magazin, Wittich informed him the FIA disputed their wording surrounding his departure.
The journalist claims he was told directly by Wittich that he ‘didn’t step down’ from his role as F1 race director. Instead, he was ‘fired’ and ‘told so today’ by the FIA.
Wittich was brought in alongside Eduardo Freitas for the 2022 season after Michael Masi departed in the wake of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversies.
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