The FIA has announced the unexpected resignation of Formula One race director Niels Wittich, effective immediately, just three races before the conclusion of the 2024 season. His departure has taken the F1 community by surprise, and he will be succeeded by Rui Marques, who previously served as the race director for both Formula Two and Formula Three. Wittich has not provided any reasons for his sudden exit, which is particularly unusual given the timing. His resignation adds to a growing list of senior FIA officials who have left their positions in recent months. Notably, Natalie Robyn, the FIA's chief executive, departed after just 18 months, alongside other key figures such as sporting director Steve Nielsen, technical director Tim Goss, and Deborah Mayer, who led the FIA commission for women. This wave of departures has created a period of instability for FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.