Wittich ‘still doesn’t know’ why FIA sacked him

Former Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich says he was dismissed by the FIA without explanation, describing his sudden removal as “the disappointing truth” of how senior officials are treated under the governing body’s leadership.

Speaking to DPA news agency, Wittich recounted being summoned to Geneva during a race-free window late in the 2024 season, expecting a routine coordination meeting. Instead, the German official says he left Switzerland without his job.

“That’s nothing unusual in itself – it had happened before that we consulted or coordinated with colleagues on site,” Wittich said. “But without anything having happened between the FIA and me, at least according to my recollection, I lost my job at the end of the meeting.”

Wittich insists he did not resign, contradicting the FIA’s statement at the time that he had stepped down to pursue “new opportunities”.

“I repeatedly asked during the conversation what the reason for this step was,” he said. “To this day, I have not received an answer. I simply don’t know the reason.”

The FIA had praised Wittich’s “professionalism and dedication” in its announcement, but according to him, he was one of several officials forced out during a wider internal clear-out under continuing FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“It does indeed leave a bad taste in the mouth that so many people had to leave,” Wittich said, naming long-time chief steward Tim Mayer and deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan among those affected. “This included not only freelancers, but also many who were dismissed from permanent positions without explanation.”

Wittich became sole F1 race director in 2023 following the departure of Michael Masi and the end of a shared arrangement with Eduardo Freitas. His tenure included controversy, notably around enforcement of jewellery rules.

“The FIA’s approach was that there is a valid set of rules that should be enforced. And I made sure that the rules were followed,” Wittich said. “Formula 1 stars are also role models – the next generation looks up to them.”

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has previously described Wittich’s dismissal as an “absolute misjudgement”, speculating that political pressure may have played a role.

Now race director of the GT World Challenge and a TV expert for Sky, Wittich continued: “Clearly, none of us were valued, and obviously other issues had a higher priority than individual performance.

“That’s the disappointing truth I was suddenly confronted with. I don’t expect to get an answer even in 100 years,” Wittich added. “It was a good time, but it has come to an end.”

FIA