F1 drivers impressed by swift action from new FIA race director

Russell and Sainz speak highly of Rui Marques after the latter's first meeting with the drivers in Vegas

George Russell and Carlos Sainz say they were impressed by FIA’s new Formula 1 race director Rui Marques after he swiftly implemented the changes they suggested in the drivers' briefing.

Their comments follow the previous incumbent, Niels Wittich, being inexplicably axed after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, leading to concerns over an inexperienced Marques overseeing the final three races of the 2024 season.

However, after meeting former F2 and F3 race director Marques for the first time on Thursday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, both Mercedes’ Russell and Ferrari’s Sainz say he has listened to the drivers and made positive changes.

Russell, who qualified on pole was asked by Motorsport.com what he had made of Marques following the drivers’ briefing.

He said: “Positive, to be honest. We’ve been through a little bit of an era where our comments are taken on board, but very little change happens.

“For example, a number of drivers spoke about the track limits at turn four. We felt it was a little bit unnecessary on a street circuit and he made a change to it in the moment.

“That is what we want to see as drivers, we all want to be heard and we want to see action taken straightaway, so far it has been positive.”

Watch: From Power-Nap to Pole Position and... Putting? - F1 Las Vegas Qualifying Analysis

Sainz agreed and illustrated another change that Marques had implemented overnight following his meeting with the F1 drivers.

Sainz, who will start Sunday's race in second, said: “He has been given a massive task to come into a season with three races left and being a race director is such a complicated role in Formula 1.

“You have so many variables to control that I think he has been given a very difficult task, but honestly from the first weekend, straight from the go he has been really good.

“The drivers’ briefings yesterday was one of the best we have had in a long time.

“George commented on the exit of turn three, I would say we also asked for some changes on the pit entry to make the line more visible because we literally couldn’t see the pit entry line and we were very worried about that.

“Today, we turned up to the track and the pit entry line was widened with a blue line and we were all saying this was really nice because they did a very nice change and with a very good approach and the way were listened to yesterday was a very positive meeting and I’m very encouraged by that.”