Former F1 race director Niels Wittich takes on new safety role with Geobrugg Motorsport

Former FIA race director Niels Wittich has landed a new role as project manager and international sales for motorsport at Geobrugg Motorsport, a Swiss company specializing in catch-fencing and safety barriers used at many F1 circuits.

Why it matters:

Wittich’s move underscores the growing importance of circuit safety infrastructure in motorsport. His 20-plus years of race directing and safety auditing experience—including stints in F1, Formula E, DTM, and GT racing—make him a key asset for a company that supplies homologated debris fences to tracks like Miami, Las Vegas, Silverstone, and Yas Marina.

The details:

• Wittich served as sole F1 race director in 2023 and most of 2024, after sharing the role with Eduardo Freitas in 2022. He departed the FIA abruptly before the 2024 Las Vegas GP, later stating he was fired amid a reported fallout with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
• Since leaving the FIA, Wittich remained active: he continued as GT World Challenge Europe race director with SRO, worked as a TV expert for Sky Germany, launched “The Niels Wittich Show” on Champ1, and officiated events like the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
• Geobrugg provides design, production, and installation of steel wire barriers and fencing, used across F1, Formula E, WEC, World Rallycross, and MotoGP. Wittich’s history with the FIA Circuits Commission—where he helped enhance track safety—makes him a natural fit.

What’s next:

Wittich is not expected to attend F1 races in 2026, but his role at Geobrugg involves consulting on safety solutions for circuits worldwide. He will also balance his SRO commitments. With F1 pushing for updated barrier standards, his expertise could influence future track layouts and protection systems.