In a statement issued by the FIA, F1’s governing body said Wittich had left the role "to pursue new opportunities.”

Niels Wittich then took on the role in conjunction with Eduardo Freitas, the pair having been race directors in DTM and World Endurance Championship respectively, before becoming

Former F1 race director Niels Wittich has reportedly claimed he did “not resign” – a matter of hours after the FIA announced his departure from his role. The FIA, F1’s governing body, said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that 52-year-old Wittich had “stepped down” from his position to “pursue new opportunities.