Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich will be replaced 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 had “stepped down” and 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.
However, German publication motorsport-magazin.com quoted Wittich, who is German, as saying: “I did not resign." The FIA did not immediately comment on that report.
“The FIA can confirm that Niels Wittich has stepped down from his position as F1 race director to pursue new opportunities," the FIA said in a statement, without explaining the timing of his departure.
“Niels has fulfilled his numerous responsibilities as race director with professionalism and dedication. We thank him for his commitment and we wish him the best for the future.”
The FIA added that Marques “brings a wealth of experience” to the role.
Wittich's departure signifies more upheaval at the FIA, which has already seen other senior officials leave over the last year. Drivers also last week criticized the FIA and President Mohammed Ben Sulayem over decisions that punished top drivers for swearing.
Marques' first event as race director could decide the drivers' title if Max Verstappen finishes ahead of his nearest challenger Lando Norris in Las Vegas on Nov. 23.
The role of race director focuses largely on safety and discussing any concerns with the drivers, though it became the focus of controversy in 2021.
Then-race director Michael Masi's decision to resume racing on the last lap of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a safety car period allowed Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton and win his first world title.
It sparked protests from Hamilton's Mercedes team, which were denied, and long-running debate over how F1 races should be overseen.
The FIA later ruled that Masi made a “human error” in overseeing the restart and that radio calls from team leaders at Mercedes and Verstappen’s Red Bull placed Masi under pressure. The FIA ended direct radio communication between the race director and teams.
Masi was replaced ahead of the 2022 season, initially by Wittich and Eduardo Freitas sharing the race director role, before Wittich took over sole responsibility.
Wittich was also the race director in Miami in 2022 when he attempted to implement an FIA push to crack down on drivers wearing jewelry. Hamilton responded by turning up to the event wearing numerous necklaces, watches and rings.
While there has been debate over how F1 races have been administered this season, it has generally centered on how other officials — the stewards — interpret the rules on overtaking, and the penalties for overly aggressive driving, as Verstappen and Norris have fought on the track.
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George Russell, of Britain, leads on his Mercedes after the start of the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Couples who look awkward on skates — and on dates — had a chance to celebrate their cute clumsiness in a Rocky and Adrian look-alike contest at Philadelphia’s RockyFest on Friday.
The evening event at the University of Pennsylvania’s 1923 Ice Rink was meant to echo the pair’s first date in “Rocky.” In the classic 1976 film, the eponymous boxer never actually dons ice skates in the scene, but instead shuffles alongside his best friend Paulie’s sister as she tries to stay upright.
The contest's winning prize was a dinner at South Philadelphia’s iconic Victor Café, where the servers also sing opera, along with a hotel stay and a $250 certificate for a Rocky-themed gift shop.
New York City firefighter Jason Carrion and his wife, Roxanne Carrion, took first place.
“I wanted to do something because we’re the biggest ‘Rocky’ fans, I think, ever. I mean, just look at us,” said Jason Carrion, dressed in a leather jacket and hat identical to Rocky's street wear in the movie.
Roxanne Carrion called the event her dream date. “I’m going ice skating, going to the ‘Rocky’ steps dressing up, and now we’re going to see ‘Rocky’ film at the movie theater. So this has been the perfect date for us,” she said.
She said the film has garnered such widespread appeal because of the “underdog” theme: "It’s an inspirational story that transcends any age or a person, doesn’t it?”
Philadelphia served as a backdrop to the popular “Rocky” franchise, something the city is celebrating nearly 50 years later with a five-day festival that grew out of the inaugural Rocky Day in 2023.
The events this week have included a mural unveiling, movie marathons, talks on the enduring appeal of the Sylvester Stallone character and a bus tour of favorite scenes.
Meanwhile, a second cast of the Rocky statue was unveiled at the top of the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — the original was featured in “Rocky III” — and will remain there through Dec. 31.
“This statue represents everything that the Rocky films stand for: resilience, heart, and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia,” Stallone said in a statement.
Contestants of the Rocky and Adrian look-alike stand on Penn Ice Rink during RockyFest in Philadelphia, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Tassanee Vejpongsa)
Jason and Roxanne Carrion, from New York, dress up as Rocky and Adrian for the look-alike contest during the RockyFest at Penn Ice Rink in Philadelphia, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Tassanee Vejpongsa)
Visitors gather around the Rocky Statue and the “Rocky Steps” during RockyFest 2024 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo Tassanee Vejpongsa)
FILE - Sylvester Stallone, left, poses with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in front of the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Art Museum for a "Creed II" photo op, Friday, April 6, 2018, in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Visitors gather around the Rocky Statue and the “Rocky Steps” during RockyFest 2024 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo Tassanee Vejpongsa)
