Ex-race director Wittich surprised: 'Not had a reason for my resignation'
Former F1 race director Niels Wittich has spoken out, saying that he had "not been given a reason" for his sudden departure from the FIA. There is also a revelation from the German that he had not spoken to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix before he was sacked from his position in November 2024.
Before the end of the 2024 season, the news came that the FIA had fired Wittich with immediate effect just before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, an unexpected and shock decision, not only for the Formula 1 world, but also for Wittich himself.
Wittich: 'No reason was ever given to me'
"It was totally unexpected for me," he says in conversation with the German branch of Sky Sports. "There were no signs that anything was going wrong or that a personnel change was needed. It was really a surprise and it still is."
It was a bizarre move to make by the FIA in the first place, but such a sudden and abrupt change of race director before the 2024 season had even concluded was the real surprise, with no one sure as to why the move had been made by the FIA and its president.
Asked if he had been in touch with Ben Sulayem, Wittich replied, "To this day, I have not been given a reason for my resignation. The last time I spoke to the FIA president was last year in China. So there has been no conflict or bad understanding.
"It's a shame, of course. I really enjoyed working in such a great team and guiding a sensational racing class. Formula 1 is a fast-paced world, not only on the track but also in terms of personnel, both teams and officials. I have to accept it as it is," Wittich added.
Has he tried to clarify the reason behind his dismissal? "I did indeed, but nobody could give me an answer," concludes Wittich, who soon found another position as the race director of the GT World Challenge Europe series.
This article was created in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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How is this dessert MBS guy pushing everyone around? Sure he is from the middle east which is important for F1 but why put up with his crap for this long? Whats next? All driver attending friday prayers? F1 needs to be careful.
The thinking here is that it was down simply to a disagreement or difference of opinion between Wittich and MBS. Nothing more. MBS acting as a dictator and sacking him. The FIA body itself had no qualms with him at all. The fact that no reasons have been disclosed tells you there is something shady and again a lack of transparency from the FIA who promised just that at the start of 2024.
Niels Wittich has been fired to bring a dutch female as race director..
Articles earlier this week suggested Susie Wolff was going to challenge for the presidency, probably won't happen from her side and Toto would most certainly need to step down but he knows that already otherwise you'd never hear the last of it from Horner and the Helmet
Susie would manage very well as FIA president. Can't be any worse that the dictator we have now. I think she's more than competent and strong enough to fulfil that role. Susie as President and V10's coming back (if she backs that also). Yep, that I can live with.
Unfortunately the last article indicates that the President will act in his or those he favour's interests. It's sad and should change but unfortunately I don't see it happening anytime soon so let's stop booing drivers and team principals and start booing the FIA at every race and on social media so we accelerate the change we want to see.
It's tough mate . That's why is say we stuck with him for a long time ?
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