In a statement issued by the FIA, F1’s governing body said Wittich had left the role "to pursue new opportunities.”

Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has stepped down in a surprise move with three races to go and the title yet to be decided.

Niels Wittich has left his role as Formula 1's race director with immediate effect. The German, who had been in the role since 2022, "has stepped down from his position to pursue new opportunities," the FIA said in a statement to BBC Sport.

Formula One race director Niels Wittich has stepped down with immediate effect and Rui Marques will take over the role from next week's Las Vegas Grand Prix, the governing FIA said on Tuesday.The FIA said Wittich,

Niels Wittich, the FIA’s Formula One race director, has allegedly been fired with three races of the season remaining after what sources described as a falling out with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Reacting to the sudden shift, Sky News reporter Craig Slater noted that "senior figures" throughout the Formula 1 paddock were "shocked and surprised" by Wittich's unexpected exit. Speculation is mounting that internal disagreements with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem may have played a role.

Niels Wittich has stepped down as the FIA’s Formula 1 race director to pursue new opportunities and will be replaced with immediate effect.  The German was one of two FIA race directors –

The FIA suddenly announced on Tuesday that Niels Wittich will no longer be Formula 1 race director. With three race weekends to go in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Rui Marques will take over. Who is the new race director in F1?

The FIA announced on Tuesday that Wittich was "stepping down" after less than three seasons as F1's race director, two of which were by himself