Max Verstappen has expressed concern over the FIA’s unexpected decision to remove race director Niels Wittich with only three races left in the season.
Max Verstappen Voices Concerns Over Sudden Change
Red Bull star Max Verstappen has described the FIA’s decision to remove race director Niels Wittich just three races before the end of the Formula 1 season as “weird.” The move has sparked speculation about whether Wittich was forced out or stepped down voluntarily.
Wittich’s Departure Raises Questions
Wittich faced intense scrutiny after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix due to delays in deploying safety cars and red flags, incidents that seemed to disadvantage Verstappen and Red Bull. However, even insiders at Red Bull did not anticipate his removal as a consequence of the controversy.
While the FIA has not clarified whether Wittich’s departure was tied to the Sao Paulo incidents, Verstappen criticized the timing of the decision during media interviews in Las Vegas.
“It’s a bit weird with three races to go to do that,” Verstappen said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re positive or negative about certain things… It’s still a bit weird to have to now deal with a different race director.”
Verstappen Suggests Off-Season Timing Would Be Better
The Dutchman argued that a change in race directors would be more logical during the off-season, giving the new director time to adapt to the role. Rui Marques, Wittich’s replacement, transitions from directing the Macau Grand Prix to handling his first F1 event in Las Vegas.
“If you want to change a race director, maybe you do it after a season,” Verstappen added. “Then you get a bit of time for the race director to get up to speed… but they have decided it, and we have to deal with it.”
Securing Fourth World Title
Despite the FIA’s shakeup, Verstappen’s immediate focus remains on the championship. He can clinch his fourth title by finishing ahead of Lando Norris in Las Vegas.
Reflecting on recent performances, Verstappen admitted challenges in understanding the car’s performance during wet weather in Sao Paulo but expressed optimism about improvements made since Austin.
“We just keep trying to improve the balance of the car,” Verstappen said. “It’s probably a bit more complicated than most race weekends that we have.”
What’s Next for F1 and Rui Marques?
As Marques takes on his first Formula 1 race as director, Verstappen and his rivals will need to adapt to his style quickly. The impact of this mid-season change remains to be seen, but for Verstappen, the goal in Vegas is clear: another victory to cap off a dominant season.
