Rui Marques Faces Heavy Workload with F1 and F2 Duties

Rui Marques takes on a busy weekend managing both F1 and F2. Can the race director handle the added responsibilities?

Marques, the F1 race director, will also be in charge of F2 this weekend. As we reported yesterday, the FIA president decided to dismiss Janette Tan, who had been appointed to succeed Marques for F2 and F3.

In the past, this workload has been considered too much. Charlie Whiting had previously requested to resign from all his responsibilities to focus solely on F1, a decision that was respected since then.

Do the drivers think there’s a risk of Marques being overwhelmed by his task?

“I find it very, very difficult to judge,” responds Charles Leclerc.

“I mean, it’s not like we actually know how much work there is for these three categories. At least, personally, I don’t know. So, yes, I think it’s very, very difficult to judge if it’s too much or not.”

“I guess he’ll be the first to experience it. But the first race went very well with him in Las Vegas. He showed great open-mindedness by listening to us, the drivers, and doing things the right way. It was very positive. But as for the workload, I think it’s very difficult to judge or say anything from our side.”

“I completely agree with Charles,” says Pierre Gasly, sitting next to him.

“As he said, I think the first race weekend was very positive. Rui is very objective, open to discussion, and very factual as well. So I’m sure that if this workload doesn’t allow him to perform at F1 level, changes will be made in the future. For now, we’ll wait and see. But as I said, it’s a good start, and we’ll see how it goes over the next two weekends.”

“Yes, not much to add,” says Fernando Alonso. “Only he knows if it’s too much or not. Or he’ll probably only know after the weekend, not now.”

Asked about what he knows regarding the situation at the FIA, four-time world champion Max Verstappen said: “I know more and more people have left, but I don’t know who or why.”

“But I don’t think it’s ideal for the FIA that people are leaving. It just depends on who will replace them. Who will take over all these tasks?”