P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The commonly held opinion by the Formula 1 driving fraternity was a state of surprise when asked about former Race Director Niels Wittich’s recent dismissal.
Wittich was replaced by Rui Marques as the FIA Race Director with just three rounds left in the 2024 F1 season, causing surprise among drivers like George Russell who felt left out of the decision-making process. Some drivers expressed dissatisfaction with Wittich’s approach and believed a collaborative effort could have been more effective in addressing issues. Kevin Magnussen highlighted a growing disconnect between drivers and race officials under the new leadership, contrasting it with the more collaborative approach of past race directors like Charlie Whiting. Drivers like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz criticized the timing and handling of Wittich’s dismissal, calling for the new race director to be more open-minded and receptive to feedback from the drivers.
