P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Starting one of Formula 1’s toughest jobs on one of the most chaotic weekends was never going to be easy – but that was the task for F1’s new race director Rui Marques. And the drivers have strong opinions on his work already
Rui Marques faced a daunting challenge stepping into the role of Formula 1 race director amid chaos following Niels Wittich’s departure due to driver discontent with the FIA’s leadership under Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Despite his experience in Formula 2 and Formula 3, transitioning to F1 was a significant leap for Marques. His first test was conducting the post-practice drivers’ briefing on Thursday, where he impressed drivers with his responsiveness to their feedback. Marques quickly implemented changes to track limits and pit entry visibility based on driver requests, earning high praise and fostering a positive relationship with the drivers. This successful start signals Marques’ commitment to addressing driver concerns and listening to their input in a sport where their voices are often overlooked.
