Ralf Schumacher finds new race director "straightforward"

Created: 03/15/2022Updated: 03/15/2022 04:34

Former racing driver Ralf Schumacher is a Formula 1 expert for Sky.

© Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher (46) attests to the new race director Niels Wittich's willingness to make decisions.

Sakhir - "The two of us aren't the best of friends, but that's okay.

He's definitely straightforward and needs a broad back, which he also has," said Schumacher, who is again commenting on the Grand Prix as a TV expert for Sky this season.

The brother of Formula 1 record world champion Michael Schumacher knows Wittich, the former DTM race director, from his active driver days.

After the controversial Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi in December, Australian Michael Masi was removed as race director.

There is now a “race management trio”: Wittich and Eduardo Freitas from Portugal alternate as race directors, with veteran Herbie Blash supporting them as an advisor.

Schumacher: Lack of public radio traffic

In front of Wittich there are "completely different calibers" of types than in the DTM, Schumacher remarked.

Masi wasn't the problem for him either.

"The quality of the race director was very good," said Schumacher, who saw a shortcoming in public radio traffic: "Having the big boss of a company on your ear all the time is difficult." But the conversations will not be broadcast from this season more.

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According to Schumacher, this aspect will be decisive in the race: "The key question is: How consistently are the rules implemented?" Leading Mercedes man Lewis Hamilton only made possible on the last lap.

dpa