Red Bull backs the new FIA race director who is set to replace Neils Wittich
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has said he is happy with the FIA's decision to replace Niels Wittich with Rui Marquez as the race director in F1. Earlier in the week, the sport's governing body announced that the German would be replaced for the remaining three races of the season.
Wittich was first announced as the FIA Race Director in 2022 after Michael Masi was fired by the governing body, and he shared the responsibilities with Eduardo Freitas. However, he assumed the role of sole race director at the start of the 2023 season and continued overseeing the races until the 2024 Brazilian GP.
In their statement, FIA informed the fans about the major change before the Las Vegas Grand Prix next weekend, saying (via Sports Illustrated):
"The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 Race Director to pursue new opportunities. Niels has fulfilled his numerous responsibilities as Race Director with professionalism and dedication."
"We thank him for his commitment and we wish him the best for the future. Rui Marques will assume the role of Race Director from the Las Vegas Grand Prix."
Speaking with F1-Insider, Red Bull advisor Marko gave his seal of approval to the FIA for the appointment of Marquez, saying (via PlanetF1):
“He has done a very good job. I think the FIA has made a good decision to present him now as Wittich’s successor.”
Over the past couple of races, the Austrian team have been at the wrong end of decisions made by the race stewards and Wittich regarding on-track incidents and delays in implementing red flags.
Hollywood producer reveals Red Bull's fears regarding the upcoming F1 movie
Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer said Red Bull were worried about their portrayal as negative characters in the upcoming movie titled 'F1' which would be released in the summer of 2025.
During a panel discussion with Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, the legendary producer said:
“The interesting part is that, since we teamed up with Mercedes, the other teams said ‘Wait a second, this movie is going to be about Mercedes and we’re going to look bad. Red Bull said ‘we’re going to be the villains.’"
“It took us three years to convince them that they weren’t going to be the villains and we finally got to a place where all the teams are really leaning into us to really help us," he added.
"F1" stars Academy Award winner Brad Pitt in the lead role as a returning F1 driver racing for the fictional team Apex GP. Seven-time world champion and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is closely associated with the project and serves as an executive producer in the movie.