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.

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

The official FIA statement suggested Niels Wittich resigned his role as Formula 1 race director, but Sky Sports News F1 report Craig Slater said he has been hearing a different story