Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich will be replaced 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 had “stepped down” and would be replaced starting from next week's Las Vegas Grand Prix by Rui Marques,

Formula One race director Niels Wittich has stepped down with immediate effect and Rui Marques will take over the role from next week's Las Vegas Grand Prix, the governing FIA said on Tuesday.

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.