F1 journalist Erik van Haren has confirmed that the FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem has announced that there will be multiple race directors for the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season. Sulayem previously announced the news on February 7 from Madrid as the 2024 season saw the departure of race director Niels Wittich, who took on the role in 2022 and left before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
What did Mohammed Ben Sulayem had to say?
Erik van Haren took to his social media to announce the news and even added a quote from Mohammed ben Sulayem.
FIA President Ben Sulayem confirmed today in Madrid that there will be several race directors in F1 again this year. This after the sudden departure/resignation of Niels Wittich at the end of last season. There will be fresh blood, and more than one race director. #F1" [translated from Dutch]
The main purpose of the race director is to have control over the race weekend, which includes the practice sessions, qualifying sessions and even the main race. They also keep their eyes on the stewards and marshals on the track. Race directors also determine which flags to be used at different points in a race, when to call out the safety car and even look after the drivers' track violations.
Not just this, they are even in charge of the pressing of the button that makes the lights go green which signifies that the Grand Prix has started.
The longest-serving race director in Formula 1 was Charlie Whiting, who held the post for 20 years until his passing before the first race of the 2019 season in Melbourne. His deputy, Michael Masi was then promoted as he took on the role before being removed after the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi that saw Max Verstappen clinch his first Formula 1 title.
Michael Masi's successor was Niels Wittich, who shared the duties with Eduardo Freitas. But in the later stages of the 2024 season, Freitas was the sole race director who took care of everything.
After Wittich's departure, Rui Marques, who has been the race director in F2 and F3, was brought on to take on the role until the end of the season.
F1 to race in Madrid from 2026
While being in Madrid, Mohammed ben Sulayem announced that multiple race directors will take on the duties from the upcoming season. It was also announced recently that Madrid will host it's first Grand Prix in 2026.
The 3.4 mile circuit will be a hybrid and feature both part-street and part non-street sections. The track is located in the are of Campo de las Naciones.
We are confident that the works will begin during the second half of this year because we are almost ready for the Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held next year. Therefore, we have to have the circuit and all the infrastructure ready, Madrid's mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida said via GPBlog.
The 2025 Formula 1 season will begin with the Australian Grand Prix which is all set to take place in Melbourne on the weekend of 14th-16th March.