FIA: first comments of new F1 race director Rui Marques. Rui Marques has given his first statements as the new FIA race director in Formula 1.

A few days after the mystery surrounding the dismissal of the now former race director Niels Wittich, Rui Marques is ready to oversee the panel of sporting stewards for the final three races of the 2024 Formula One season, which is nearing its conclusion but with both titles still up for grabs.

After gaining extensive experience in the World Touring Car Cup, the Portuguese official has served as race director in F2 and F3 over the past two seasons with excellent results. However, managing the same role in a highly complex and multifaceted sport like Formula 1 will certainly require a different approach.

During the iconic Macau GP, won by McLaren junior talent Ugo Ugochukwu, Rui Marques gave his first comments following his promotion, as Formula 1 prepares to return in Las Vegas next weekend.

“Am I surprised by the promotion? It’s not about being surprised,” the Portuguese replied. “Things evolve, and the experience we gain opens up these opportunities. I believe all of us grow within the categories we enter thanks to the history and experience we accumulate. Macau is another one of those experiences. We bring the experience from Macau to city races, to circuits of this kind. Macau is part of this whole picture.” – the new F1 race director pointed out.

Rui Marques concluded by stating, “For now, I will remain in the role until the end of the year. Then we will see about the future.”