There was concern from the drivers not only about the change itself but also about their lack of involvement in the move.

George Russell and Carlos Sainz have said 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 Brazilian Grand Prix,

Formula One drivers were surprised by the sudden departure of race director Niels Wittich and are "a bit fed up" with the leadership of the governing FIA, Mercedes' George Russell said on Wednesday.