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

Former F1 race director Niels Wittich has reportedly claimed he did “not resign” – a matter of hours after the FIA announced his departure from his role. The FIA, F1’s governing body, said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that 52-year-old Wittich had “stepped down” from his position to “pursue new opportunities.

PARIS (AP) — Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich stepped down in a surprise move with three races to go and the title yet to be decided. The series' governing body, the FIA, said on Tuesday that Wittich would be replaced starting from next week's Las Vegas Grand Prix by Rui Marques, who had been race director for Formula 2 and 3.