Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has admitted to being shocked by the FIA’s sudden – and so far unexplained – decision to dismiss Niels Wittich as Formula 1 race director with just three races remaining in the season.
The move, announced last week and justified by the FIA by Wittich’s desire to “pursue new opportunities”, has sent a shockwave through the F1 paddock, especially as the German later confirmed that he had been properly forced out of his position.
Wittich, who served as F1’s race director since 2022, has been replaced by Rui Marques, the current F2 and F3 race director.
The Portuguese official will take the helm of race control for the first time at this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix – a race Croft believes demands a highly experienced hand.
“First and foremost he hasn’t stepped down, he’s been sacked,” Croft told the Sky Sports F1 podcast, referring to Wittich’s exit. “He admitted that himself and said that to various journalists.
“The FIA aren’t going to let the race director go if he wants to go with three races to go if there’s no reason behind that from the FIA standpoint.
“Rui Marques has done very well in F2 and F3. But he’s never been the race director in F1.
“To do that before a street race before Vegas under the lights with all the possibilities of something that could go wrong – a race that calls for experience, a race that calls for a calm head and a race that calls for someone that isn’t doing the job for the first time – I find it crazy, I really do.”
Street circuits present a unique set of challenges, and Las Vegas is no exception. Last year’s inaugural event was a somewhat chaotic affair on its opening day, with loose manhole covers and delays.
Crashes or incidents require swift and decisive decision-making from the race director who typically operates under significant pressure.
“I don’t know what’s happened between the FIA and Niels Wittich,” Crofty added. “I don’t know what’s caused the FIA to sack their race director and to get rid of him with immediate effect.
“To do it before Vegas does seem a little on the strange side to say the least. I am not saying it worries me because I don’t want to give the impression that Rui Marques is going to do a bad job - I don’t know either way to be honest.”
Sky F1's David Croft with McLaren driver Oscar Piastri.
While Croft acknowledged that Marques will undoubtedly strive to do his best, he emphasized the importance of experience in such a demanding role.
“I am sure that the FIA thinks he’s up to the task. I am sure he will do the best possible job that he can but you need experience in these things. This is a high pressure weekend,” the Briton added.
“I hope nothing goes wrong. I hope we get a fairly smooth weekend where we haven’t got loose drain covers or tarmac breaking up or multiple crashes.
“It could be a bit of a baptism of fire for the race director. The FIA have dispensed the services of their race director, their compliance officer is gone as well.”
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