Niels Wittich is set to act as Formula 1 Race Director at all 23 grands prix in 2023.
Wittich shared the role with Eduardo Freitas – who also retained his World Endurance Championship duties – in the 2022 season after the FIA implemented structural changes.
That came in the aftermath of the controversial conclusion to the 2021 season under previous Race Director Michael Masi.
Masi spent three years in the role after the death of Charlie Whiting on the eve of the 2019 season but was replaced pre-2022.
Freitas was Race Director at eight grands prix last year, with Wittich his deputy for those events, but the Portuguese did not return to the position after the rain-hit race in Japan, in which a recovery vehicle was erroneously sent out on track.
That prompted the FIA to install Wittich as the sole Race Director for the last four rounds of 2022 – which was the initial rotation schedule even before the events in Japan – meaning he held the position for 14 of the 22 grands prix.
Wittich will now remain as Formula 1’s sole Race Director through the entirety of the 2023 season.
While Wittich will be Formula 1’s only Race Director in 2023 the FIA is working on a development programme to train upcoming officials for roles in the future, and ensure there are multiple Race Directors available for championships – including Formula 1 – going forward.
“The Race Direction Development Programme is designed to improve our Race Direction operations as part of our ongoing efforts to bring rigour and best practice to the governance of the sport,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the end of 2022.
“The programme will also help us identify emerging talent so we can grow our pool of Race Directors, Stewards and officials for the future.”
The first gathering of the RDDP is due to take place in Geneva this weekend, with Wittich in attendance.
