Niels Wittich Accused of Targeting Max Verstappen as FIA Announces Departure

The FIA’s announcement of Niels Wittich’s departure as Formula 1 race director has taken an unexpected turn, with former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan accusing Wittich of using a red flag to deliberately disadvantage Max Verstappen. Wittich, who has served as race director since 2022, will leave his role ahead of the 2024 season amid growing scrutiny over his decisions.

The controversy stems from the recent Qatar Grand Prix, where Wittich’s decision to deploy a late red flag during qualifying raised eyebrows. Verstappen, the reigning world champion and dominant force in the 2023 season, was on a flying lap and appeared poised to improve his position significantly before the session was halted. According to Jordan, the timing of the red flag was suspicious and seemed calculated to disrupt Verstappen’s momentum.

Speaking on his podcast, Jordan said, “Wittich’s decision-making has been questionable for a while, but the Qatar incident stood out. Max Verstappen has been the class of the field, and to see a decision like that, which clearly impacted his chances, you have to wonder if there was intent behind it.”

The FIA has not commented directly on Jordan’s accusations, but Wittich has previously defended his decisions as being made in the interest of safety. In Qatar, the red flag was reportedly issued due to debris on the track after a collision, a standard protocol to ensure the drivers’ safety. However, critics argue that the incident did not warrant such a drastic measure, and alternative approaches like a virtual safety car could have been sufficient.

Wittich’s tenure as race director has been marked by polarizing decisions and frequent debates about consistency in race management. While he has been praised for his commitment to safety, his approach has often drawn criticism from drivers, teams, and fans. Verstappen himself has expressed frustration with certain decisions, though he has not commented directly on the Qatar red flag incident.

With Wittich now set to depart, the FIA faces the challenge of appointing a new race director who can navigate the complex dynamics of Formula 1 while maintaining credibility with teams and drivers. As the sport grows in global popularity, the role of the race director is more scrutinized than ever.

Whether Wittich’s exit signals a fresh start for race management or merely adds to the ongoing controversies surrounding the FIA remains to be seen. For now, the accusations surrounding Qatar will only fuel the debate over fairness in F1.