The FIA race director fired Niels Wittich after the weekend in São Paulo, and in Qatar it became clear that the two most important people had to go. George Russell expresses open criticism and demands transparency.
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at the FIA: After Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich left after the race weekend in Brazil, two more key figures were fired ahead of the second-to-last championship in Qatar: the long-haul. commissioner Tim Mayer and deputy director of Formula 2 Racing Janette Tan.
The latter was supposed to take Rui Marques’ job in the youth classes. But now the Portuguese, who succeeds Wittich as Formula 1 race director, has to manage both series for a while.
Mercedes driver George Russell, who represents drivers’ concerns as one of the directors of the GP drivers’ association GPDA, criticized the latest development. Referring to a public letter in which the GP stars recently demanded more transparency and stability from the FIA, he said: “Just when we were demanding more transparency and stability, two very important people from the association are being fired.”
“We still haven’t learned the reason for Niels’ dismissal. And I don’t think anyone has been informed that Tim is leaving either. “I found out in the media that the new race director is also in charge of Formula 2 this weekend,” complained Brit.
“Of course there will be no stability in any organization if there is a change of personnel, and new people have to familiarize themselves with the rules. This is a big challenge for every team and certainly a big challenge for everyone within the FIA. “We would like to have more transparency and understanding about what’s going on and who’s going to be fired next,” Russell added.
Las Vegas-GP, USA
01. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:22:05,969 h
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +7,313 sec
03. Carlos Sainz (L), Ferrari, +11,906
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +14,283
05. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, +16,582
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +43.385
07. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +51.365
08. Nico Hulkenberg (D), Haas, +59.808
09. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bull, +1:02,808 minutes
10. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +1:03,114
11. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1:09.195
12. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1:09.803
13. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1:14,085
14. Franco Colapinto (RA), Williams, +1:15.172
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:24,102
16. Liam Lawson (NZ), Racing Bulls, +1:31,005
17. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +19,477, +1 Runde
18. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +1 Runde
outside
Alex Albon (T), Williams, engine failure
Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, engine fire
World Championship Standings (after 22 out of 24 Grands Prix and 5 out of 6 Sprints)
the driver
01. Verstappen 403 points
02. Norris 340
03. Leclerc 319
04. Plate 268
05. Sainz 259
06. Russell 217
07. Hamilton 208
08. Perez 152
09. Alonso 62
10. Hulkenberg 35
11. Tsunoda 30
12. Gas 26
13. Walk 24
14. Ocon 23
15. Magnussen 14
16. Albon 12
17. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 12
18. Oliver Bearman (GB) 7
19. Colapinto 5
20. Lawson 4
21. Zhou 0
22. Logan Sargeant (USA) 0
23. Bota 0
Builders Cup
01. McLaren 608 points
02. Ferrari 584
03. Red Bull 555 Racing
04. Mercedes 425
05. Aston Martin 86
06. Haas 50
07. Alpine 49
08. Racing Bull 46
09. Williams 17
10. Sauber 0
