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Freitas appointed as the F1 race director for the Spanish GP

Freitas is sharing duties at the helm of race control this year with Niels Wittich who fulfilled the role in the first five F1 races.

By Niranjan Shivalkar | May 12, 2022 | 2 Min Read

Eduardo Freitas will reportedly officiate as F1’s race director for the first time this season at next week’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Freitas is sharing duties at the helm of race control this year with Niels Wittich who fulfilled the role in the first five F1 races of the 2022 season. The experienced Portuguese will stay on as race director for the Monaco GP but will hand back the baton to Wittich for Baku as that race clashes with the WEC’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Colin Haywood served Freitas absence

After Michael Masi was ousted from the job prior to the start of the 2022 season, the FIA stated that Freitas and Niels Wittich would share the race director role. However, because of his prior obligation as the race director for the World Endurance Championship, Freitas’ debut has been delayed, which means Wittich has presided over the first five grands prix of the season. Colin Haywood has been Wittich’s deputy in Freitas’ absence. Freitas was working at the 6 Hours of Spa last weekend for the Miami Grand Prix.

Wittich’s no nonsense approach

Wittich distinguished himself in the first five races of 2022 by taking a no-nonsense, clear approach to enforcing the regulations, an attitude that was well received by the teams. Unlike Masi, Wittich has avoided major controversies thus far, with his most prominent action being a ban on drivers wearing jewellery and undergarments in the cockpit. In his race notes for the Australian Grand Prix, Wittich specified that no jewellery or piercings be worn in the cockpit, and that undergarments be fire-resistant. Both things will now be subjected to scrutiny.

Andreas Seidl in favor of the new race director

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has so far been in favor of the new race director job share arrangement. “From my point of view, the new set-up with Niels and also Eduardo had a very good start going into this new era of F1,” said Seidl. “Niels is quite straightforward in terms of making sure the rules get enforced. He’s also quite straightforward in terms of getting across what he’s expecting and that’s what I personally like.”

“At the same time, he is always available for a dialogue and for constructive input as well, if you think things need to be reconsidered. And from this point of view, when I look now how these first races went, I think we are in a good place.” added Seidl.