PARIS — In a surprising turn of events, Niels Wittich has resigned from his post as Formula 1 race director with just three races remaining in the season and the championship still up for grabs.

The FIA, the governing body for the sport, announced on Tuesday that Wittich’s responsibilities would be taken over by Rui Marques, who has previously served as race director for both Formula 2 and Formula 3. The change will officially take place at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In a statement, the FIA confirmed that Wittich has stepped down to explore new opportunities, although they did not provide specific reasons for his sudden departure at this critical juncture of the season.

The statement expressed gratitude for Wittich’s professionalism and dedication while serving in the role, wishing him well as he moves forward. The FIA also emphasized that Marques comes with a significant amount of experience that should benefit Formula 1 moving ahead.

As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on the Las Vegas Grand Prix and how this leadership change will impact the remaining races, particularly as the title fight intensifies. Fans and teams alike will be curious to see how Marques settles into the role and navigates the complexities of the prestigious racing series.