Niels Wittich is saying goodbye to F1. His departure is making waves in the world of the top tier of motorsport. Late in the afternoon two days ago, an official communication from the International Federation revealed that the 52-year-old German, Formula 1’s Race Director, had submitted his resignation with immediate effect. The timing and manner of this decision have caused a stir and raised many questions, especially considering there are only three rounds remaining in the championship.
This situation could have been handled more calmly, especially to facilitate the transition to Rui Marques, who comes from F2. In recent years, there have been too many changes in such a sensitive position, one that requires stability rather than constant turnover. The fire was further fueled by recent statements from the German official, who clarified that his departure was not voluntary but rather a dismissal by the federal body: a firing. What are the duties assigned to a Race Director under the sporting regulations?
F1, Niels Wittich: the questionable application of the sporting regulations
Below are some of the articles from the F1 sporting regulations that require the exercise of the functions assigned to the Race Director. Many of the following provisions have been the subject of considerable controversy throughout the current season due to how they were applied by Niels Wittich. According to article 15.3 of the sporting regulations, the Race Director holds supreme authority over the following matters:
– The control of free practice, qualifying sessions, sprint qualifying sessions, sprint sessions, and the race itself, ensuring the adherence to the schedule and, if necessary, making any proposals to the stewards to modify the schedule in compliance with the Code or the Sporting Regulations.
– Stopping any car in accordance with the Code or the Sporting Regulations.
– Interrupting free practice, qualifying sessions, or sprint qualifying sessions, suspending a sprint session, or halting the race in accordance with the Sporting Regulations if deemed unsafe to continue, and ensuring the correct restart procedure is followed.
– Overseeing the start procedure.
– Managing the deployment of the Safety Car.
According to article 22.1.a, in conditions of poor visibility, and at their sole discretion, the F1 Race Director can impose the deactivation of so-called “adjustable bodywork,” such as the Drag Reduction System (DRS) to reduce air resistance. This can be done until the conditions are judged to be suitable again. Article 22.1.f further states that in conditions of poor visibility or when yellow flags are displayed in the DRS activation zone, the Race Director can also deactivate all systems at their discretion until conditions improve or the yellow flags are withdrawn.
Article 33.3 of the sporting regulations specifies that if a car goes off the track, the driver may re-enter. However, this can only be done when it is safe, ensuring that no advantage is gained during the maneuver. At the absolute discretion of the Race Director, a driver may be required to give up any advantage gained by leaving the track. Under article 38.3, if the Race Director deems it necessary to halt the start procedure, a red flag will be displayed, and the interruption lights will be activated on the starting line.
In the event of a red flag, any driver still on the grid must gradually move away, and all cars remaining on the track must proceed slowly to the pit lane. Article 47.1 of the sporting regulations prescribes that if the formation lap has started and the Race Director decides that the start must be cancelled, the cancellation lights will be activated, a “CANCELLED START” board will be displayed, all cars must return to the grid, and all competitors will be informed of the probable delay via the official messaging system.
The start procedure will resume with a ten-minute signal. Whenever this happens, the F1 Sprint session or the traditional Sunday race, with its 300 km distance, will be shortened by one lap. Moreover, according to article 54.1, the Race Director can report any on-track incident or suspected violation of the sporting regulations to the stewards. Following the ensuing review, it will be at the discretion of the race officials to decide whether or not to initiate an investigation to reach conclusions during the race.
F1, Niels Wittich never connected with teams or drivers
What is certain is that many of Niels Wittich’s decisions this F1 season have seemed inappropriate or delayed. During the “triple-header” between Austin, Mexico City, and Interlagos, there were several controversial decisions. The penalty handed to Lando Norris in Texas irritated McLaren, as did those given to Max Verstappen in Mexico, which were correct but more severe than the usual cases. Not to mention the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the timing of the neutralization during the Sprint Race and Q2 session raised many suspicions, infuriating Verstappen.
Finally, the amateurish handling of the aborted start due to Stroll’s awkward off-track moment during the reconnaissance lap. It also seems that the recent complaints from the GPDA, in which drivers requested not to be treated like children, stemmed from Niels Wittich’s very strict approach to behavior on the track. Regardless of the dismissal issue, one thing is clear: there has never been alignment between the teams, the drivers, and the German manager, nor any harmony regarding the various and questionable decisions made by the former F1 Race Director.
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