Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher (46) attests to the new race director Niels Wittich’s willingness to make decisions.
“The two of us are not the best of friends, but that’s not a problem either. He’s definitely straightforward and needs a broad back, which he also has,” said Schumacher, who is again presenting the Grand Prix this season as a TV expert for “Sky” commented.
The brother of Formula 1 record world champion Michael Schumacher knows Wittich, the former DTM race manager, from his active driver days. After the controversial Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi in December, Australian Michael Masi was removed as race director. There is now a “race management trio”: Wittich and Eduardo Freitas from Portugal alternate as race directors, with veteran Herbie Blash supporting them as an advisor.
Schumacher: Lack of public radio traffic
In front of Wittich there are “completely different calibres” of types than in the DTM, Schumacher remarked. Masi wasn’t the problem for him either. “The quality of the race director was very good,” said Schumacher and saw a shortcoming in public radio traffic: “Having the big boss of a company on your ear all the time is difficult.” From this season, however, the talks will no longer be broadcast.
According to Schumacher, this aspect will be decisive in the conduct of the race: “The key question is: How consistently are the rules implemented?” With controversial decisions in the 2021 Formula 1 final, Masi only made it possible for eventual world champion Max Verstappen to overtake the Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton on the last lap in the Red Bull.