FIA Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has stepped down, effective immediately, the governing body announced Tuesday. Wittich’s surprise departure comes with just three races of the 2024 season remaining.

Niels Wittich has left his role as Formula 1's race director with immediate effect. The German, who had been in the role since 2022, "has stepped down from his position to pursue new opportunities," the FIA said in a statement to BBC Sport.

The official FIA statement suggested Niels Wittich resigned his role as Formula 1 race director, but Sky Sports News F1 report Craig Slater said he has been hearing a different story

Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich stepped down in a surprise move with three races to go and the title yet to be decided. The series' governing body, the FIA, said on Tuesday that Wittich would be replaced starting from next week's Las Vegas Grand Prix by Rui Marques,

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

Niels Wittich has resigned as Formula 1 race director. Qian Jun/MB Media/ Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has stepped down with immediate effect, the FIA confirmed on Tuesday.

Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has stepped down from his role, the FIA has announced. F2 and F3 race director Rui Marques has been named as his immediate replacement from next week's Las Vegas Grand Prix.