Formula 1 has a new race director this weekend. Following the sudden (and somewhat controversial) departure of German Niels Wittich, Rui Marques has taken the helm in Las Vegas. The drivers met the Portuguese race director during a preliminary drivers’ briefing ahead of the race weekend. “The best meeting in a long time,” Carlos Sainz responded afterwards.
In November, the FIA announced that Niels Wittich would immediately step down from his duties. The German race director, who took over from Michael Masi in 2022, came under fire after a number of controversial decisions during the São Paulo GP. A late red flag and a lack of safety cars drew much criticism. As a result, Wittich chose to leave early. Or at least, that’s what the FIA suggested. In the media, he insists he was fired.
Rui Marques, formerly active as a race director in Formula 3 and Formula 2, was appointed as his replacement. Prior to the Las Vegas GP, he led his first drivers’ briefing with the Formula 1 drivers. Many expressed enthusiasm about Marques’ approach afterwards, who seems to be taking a decisive stance.
Polesitter George Russell expressed pleasant surprise at the new race director. “I think we’ve had a period where our comments were heard, but ultimately little was done with them,” said the Brit. Marques broke with that trend. “For example, some drivers pointed out the limited space coming out of turn four – something unnecessary on a street circuit,” Russell stated. “He (Marques) immediately adjusted the track. That’s exactly what we as drivers want to see; we were heard and immediate action was taken. So, positive.
Praise from Carlos Sainz
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who starts second in Las Vegas, also spoke positively about Marques. “He has been given a difficult task,” said the Spaniard. “With only three races to go, he was suddenly promoted to race director. It’s a complicated role where you have to take many variables into account. Nevertheless, I think he’s doing very well. Yesterday’s briefing was one of the best meetings in a long time.”
Sainz pointed out a few specific examples. “George (Russell) had criticism about turn three, while I indicated that the entrance to the pit lane needed to be changed. The line was literally not visible, it was dangerous. Today we arrived at the circuit and the approach to the pit lane had been widened. It’s nice to see that such changes are implemented immediately. I find that very encouraging.”
