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

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.

Niels Wittich has left his role as Formula 1 race director, the FIA has confirmed in a statement. It is a position which was held by the 52-year-old German since the departure of Michael Masi in the aftermath of the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,