F1 drivers have been reacting to the FIA’s determination to exchange race director Niels Wittich with simply three rounds to go, with George Russell adamant that “hiring and firing will not be the answer”.
Throughout the hole between Brazil and this weekend’s F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the FIA had introduced Wittich had stepped down from his function as race director.
Simply 24 hours later, Wittich knowledgeable German publication Motorsport-Magazin that he had been sacked by the FIA.
Wittich had held the function since 2022, however had been put beneath larger scrutiny in current rounds amid various incidents involving Max Verstappen.
Talking within the FIA press convention in Las Vegas, Russell revealed the drivers “weren’t conscious” previous to the announcement about Wittich’s departure.
“We positively weren’t conscious,” Russell stated. “It was a little bit of a shock for everyone. It’s a hell plenty of strain now onto the brand new race director simply three races left.
“I feel for us… usually as drivers we really feel we’re the final to search out out this type of info. When it entails us immediately it will be good to be saved within the loop and have an understanding of what selections are being made.
“Time will inform. I’m positive the brand new man will deal with the place simply fantastic however positively not a straightforward race for a brand new race director.”
Wittich has been changed by F2/F3 race director Rui Marques.
Nevertheless, Russell believes the fixed change isn’t a wise answer.
“I feel there’s no secret some weren’t pleased with what was occurring when it comes to the selections that have been being made,” he added. “On the finish of the day, I feel if he labored collectively for us we may have helped enhance the matter.
“Generally simply hiring and firing will not be the answer. You should work collectively to enhance the issue. Each time there’s a change it’s a must to take one step again earlier than you make the 2 step forwards.”
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen isn’t involved by the late change – however needs larger cooperation between the race director and the drivers akin to when Charlie Whiting held the function.
“I don’t assume it’s a priority as such. It’s a troublesome job,” Magnussen defined. “It’s a job that requires expertise and to be sincere I don’t understand how skilled the brand new man is. I do know he’s come from F2 and F3. He should have some expertise.
“Hopefully he’s going to be fantastic. I feel all of us, definitely I do, have a tendency to check it to the Charlie Whiting days. Definitely for us drivers he was somebody that we felt actually linked to.
“All the time felt like we have been listening to however now it feels nearly as us in opposition to them. It ought to positively be extra of a cooperation – a more in-depth connection between us and them as we may help one another so much. Hopefully the brand new man will assist getting into that path.”
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon added: “It’s positively not a straightforward race to begin round right here on a avenue circuit however I feel Rui, he got here from Macau simply now. It’s in all probability a harder circuit than right here, positively. Wanting ahead to assembly him and having good chats within the drivers’ assembly with him.
“See how he works and I’m positive we will likely be speaking so much about how he does issues, what concepts he has and crucial subjects to make use of – monitor limits, kerbs. All people has his approach of doing issues.
“We have to clearly talk nicely when it comes to what we really feel is essential going ahead.”
Norris requires “everlasting group”
One different criticism of the FIA has been the shortage of consistency with regards to stewarding and officers.
The stewards rotate with numerous totally different former drivers contributing to selections all through the season.
Given how powerful the function is as race director – and officiating a world sport like F1 is generally – Lando Norris feels they might profit by having full-time, everlasting employees.
“Their job is hard,” Norris stated. “I don’t assume individuals realise how powerful it’s. It’s one of many hardest sports activities to police on the earth I feel. I feel it’s a sport the place there’s so many issues that may occur.
“You need guidelines however you don’t need guidelines. That makes it very powerful. You’re all the time going to have people who disagree or agree. I feel it’s only a very powerful place to be in. I don’t know what’s occurring there. There’s clearly issues that aren’t operating as easily as we might need.
“However as such an enormous sport, like with most different sports activities, you could have everlasting stewards, everlasting individuals, a everlasting group that run every thing for consistency and plenty of different causes. That’s what we would like as as drivers, what we now have requested. We additionally acknowledge it’s a really troublesome place to be in.”
