Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has stepped down in a surprise move with three races to go and the title yet to be decided.

In a statement issued by the FIA, F1’s governing body said Wittich had left the role "to pursue new opportunities.”

Niels Wittich has left his role as Formula 1's race director with immediate effect. The German, who had been in the role since 2022, "has stepped down from his position to pursue new opportunities," the FIA said in a statement to BBC Sport.