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

PARIS (AP) — 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, who had been race director for Formula 2 and 3.

Niels Wittich, the FIA’s Formula One race director, has allegedly been fired with three races of the season remaining after what sources described as a falling out with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.