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Sunday, January 26, 2025

dismissed for improper utility of F1 rules


Niels Wittich is saying goodbye to F1. His departure is making waves on this planet of the highest tier of motorsport. Late within the afternoon two days in the past, an official communication from the Worldwide Federation revealed that the 52-year-old German, System 1’s Race Director, had submitted his resignation with rapid impact. The timing and method of this resolution have brought on a stir and raised many questions, particularly contemplating there are solely three rounds remaining within the championship.

This example might have been dealt with extra calmly, particularly to facilitate the transition to Rui Marques, who comes from F2. In recent times, there have been too many modifications in such a delicate place, one which requires stability slightly than fixed turnover. The hearth was additional fueled by current statements from the German official, who clarified that his departure was not voluntary however slightly a dismissal by the federal physique: a firing. What are the duties assigned to a Race Director below the sporting rules?

F1, Niels Wittich: the questionable utility of the sporting rules
Beneath are among the articles from the F1 sporting rules that require the train of the features assigned to the Race Director. Lots of the following provisions have been the topic of appreciable controversy all through the present season as a consequence of how they have been utilized by Niels Wittich. In keeping with article 15.3 of the sporting rules, the Race Director holds supreme authority over the next issues:

– The management of free apply, qualifying periods, dash qualifying periods, dash periods, and the race itself, guaranteeing the adherence to the schedule and, if needed, making any proposals to the stewards to switch the schedule in compliance with the Code or the Sporting Rules.
– Stopping any automobile in accordance with the Code or the Sporting Rules.
– Interrupting free apply, qualifying periods, or dash qualifying periods, suspending a dash session, or halting the race in accordance with the Sporting Rules if deemed unsafe to proceed, and guaranteeing the right restart process is adopted.
– Overseeing the beginning process.
– Managing the deployment of the Security Automobile.

In keeping with article 22.1.a, in situations of poor visibility, and at their sole discretion, the F1 Race Director can impose the deactivation of so-called “adjustable bodywork,” such because the Drag Discount System (DRS) to scale back air resistance. This may be achieved till the situations are judged to be appropriate once more. Article 22.1.f additional states that in situations of poor visibility or when yellow flags are displayed within the DRS activation zone, the Race Director may deactivate all techniques at their discretion till situations enhance or the yellow flags are withdrawn.

Article 33.3 of the sporting rules specifies that if a automobile goes off the monitor, the motive force might re-enter. Nevertheless, this could solely be achieved when it’s secure, guaranteeing that no benefit is gained throughout the maneuver. On the absolute discretion of the Race Director, a driver could also be required to surrender any benefit gained by leaving the monitor. Beneath article 38.3, if the Race Director deems it essential to halt the beginning process, a pink flag will probably be displayed, and the interruption lights will probably be activated on the beginning line.

Within the occasion of a pink flag, any driver nonetheless on the grid should regularly transfer away, and all automobiles remaining on the monitor should proceed slowly to the pit lane. Article 47.1 of the sporting rules prescribes that if the formation lap has began and the Race Director decides that the beginning should be cancelled, the cancellation lights will probably be activated, a “CANCELLED START” board will probably be displayed, all automobiles should return to the grid, and all opponents will probably be knowledgeable of the possible delay through the official messaging system.

The beginning process will resume with a ten-minute sign. Each time this occurs, the F1 Dash session or the standard Sunday race, with its 300 km distance, will probably be shortened by one lap. Furthermore, in response to article 54.1, the Race Director can report any on-track incident or suspected violation of the sporting rules to the stewards. Following the following evaluate, will probably be on the discretion of the race officers to determine whether or not or to not provoke an investigation to achieve conclusions throughout the race.

F1, Niels Wittich by no means related with groups or drivers
What is for certain is that lots of Niels Wittich’s selections this F1 season have appeared inappropriate or delayed. Through the “triple-header” between Austin, Mexico Metropolis, and Interlagos, there have been a number of controversial selections. The penalty handed to Lando Norris in Texas irritated McLaren, as did these given to Max Verstappen in Mexico, which have been appropriate however extra extreme than the standard circumstances. To not point out the Brazilian Grand Prix, the place the timing of the neutralization throughout the Dash Race and Q2 session raised many suspicions, infuriating Verstappen.

Lastly, the amateurish dealing with of the aborted begin as a consequence of Stroll’s awkward off-track second throughout the reconnaissance lap. It additionally appears that the current complaints from the GPDA, during which drivers requested to not be handled like youngsters, stemmed from Niels Wittich’s very strict strategy to conduct on the monitor. Whatever the dismissal difficulty, one factor is evident: there has by no means been alignment between the groups, the drivers, and the German supervisor, nor any concord concerning the assorted and questionable selections made by the previous F1 Race Director.

Niels Wittich

Maria Lombardi

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