Internal conflict broke out in Formula 1: the race director was fired after the chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix

The sudden departure of Nils Wittich from his post as Formula 1 racing director has sparked a major management controversy at the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. (FIA). In a statement issued last Tuesday, the FIA ​​said Wittich had left his position “voluntarily” to “seek new opportunities.” However, the former director quickly denied this version and assured that he was fired without warning, which gave rise to a discussion about the leadership of its president. Mohammed Ben Sulayem and ways to carry it out.

“I did not resign”Wittich stated this in an interview with German media. Motorsport magazinein which he detailed the background to his departure and revealed the tense internal situation. According to statements by the man responsible for the fate of the race leading up to the Brazilian Grand Prix, at the Interlagos circuit, British media such as Race And BBC They claim his departure is the result of growing tensions between him and Ben Sulayem. apparent “power struggle” within the FIA.

According to these sources, Wittich should have been notified of his dismissal from the body responsible for overseeing Maxima minutes before the official announcement was made public.

The dismissal of the racing director, who will take up his post in 2023, comes midway through the determination of the Formula One championship, with just three Grands Prix remaining and the drivers’ and constructors’ titles still in dispute, adding an element of uncertainty to the situation. a defining moment for motorsport.

His immediate replacement by Portuguese Rui Marques sparked rumors of a split in the FIA, as well as a recent letter from Formula 1 drivers. addressed to the organization, where they express concerns about recent sanctions and openly question the leadership of Ben Sulayem.

Wittich’s departure adds to a string of resignations and firings across the organization over the past year, putting the former United Arab Emirates-born rally driver’s administration under the spotlight. Since the end of 2023, at least five senior officials have left their posts at the FIA, including Steve Nielsen (sports director), Deborah Mayer (President of the Women’s Commission), Tim Goss (single technical director) and Natalie Robin (Executive Director).

The accumulation of these deviations in strategic areas raises doubts about the internal stability of the FIA ​​and the leadership style of its president, who was appointed head of the division in 2021.

The British press has also suggested that Wittich’s dismissal is part of a deeper conflict within the organization as Ben Sulayem tries to restore his authority in a tense environment. The latest racing director, who took over in 2022 after the controversial departure of Michael Masi after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which decided the Formula 1 title in favor of Max Verstappen in his iconic battle with Lewis Hamilton, has managed to maintain relative stability in his career. role though His decisions did not escape criticism, such as the 20-second penalty for the reigning world champion at the race in Mexico. this was disputed in Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez (The Dutchman finished 6th).

Apart from this, another critical moment that Formula 1 has experienced recently was the difficult Brazilian Grand Prix due to the weather situation that rocked the Interlagos circuit over the weekend, especially on Sunday, a day when qualifying and the main race were difficult. be fulfilled.

According to specialized media Motorsport“Race control came under fire at the Brazilian Grand Prix as Red Bull was unhappy with the timing of the red flag in qualifying, which it believed cost Max Verstappen an upset, and there were also concerns over a late virtual safety call. car in the sprint race for the injured Nico Hulkenberg,” they quote in the article signed by Philip Kleeren.

Starting with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Portuguese Rui Marques will take command of one of the most difficult stages on the calendar due to the nature of the Nevada circuit. The 51-year-old Portuguese held the same position in Formula 3 and Formula 2. Marques is a member of the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation (FPAK) and has succeeded Spain’s Silvia Bello at the helm of Formula 1’s minor categories as head coach. as part of the sports commissioners.