Who are the new race directors of Formula 1?
The FIA announced on Friday, February 18th, that it would replace Michael Masi with two new race directors, Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich. The two men will share the role on a rotational basis.
The winter has been eventful at the FIA. Between the management of the controversial Abu Dhabi finale and the election of the new president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the vacation of the institution’s members at Place de la Concorde had to be short. The investigation carried out following the Emirati race has presented its initial findings. One of them, and not the least, is the replacement of Michael Masi at the helm of the Race Direction by an alternating duo composed of Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, who will be assisted by Herbie Blash, a well-known figure in the paddock.
Eduardo Freitas, former race director of the WEC.
Born in Estoril, Eduardo Freitas has a long experience in motorsport. After starting as a track official about forty years ago, the Portuguese became a race director twenty years ago. He first worked in the GT Championship and the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), before specializing in endurance racing with the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). He later became the race director of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and served as the race director of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the tenth time in 2021.
Niels Wittich, former race director of the DTM
Niels Wittich, of German nationality, also has extensive experience in motorsport. Like his new partner, he started as a track marshal about twenty years ago. Later on, the German held the position of Race Director in Formula E before turning to DTM, the German Touring Car Championship. With great professionalism, he is known for making tough but fair decisions.
Herbie Blash, the trusted figure in the paddock.
A figure in the F1 paddock for several decades, Herbie Blash is making a comeback in a big way. The former deputy to Charlie Whiting, Masi’s predecessor, had semi-retired at the end of the 2016 season. His F1 career began in the late 60s-early 70s as a mechanic before moving into the management of the Brabham team alongside his colleagues Whiting and Bernie Ecclestone. His vast experience and the respect he commands will be of great assistance in making decisions during races.
