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

The FIA, F1’s governing body, said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that 52-year-old Wittich had “stepped down” from his position to “pursue new opportunities.” Current F3 and F2 race director Rui Marques will take over from the next race in Las Vegas.

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.