The FIA’s reputation as the all-seeing eye of Formula 1 governance just took another dent with the sudden removal of race director Niels Wittich, in what has now turned into a bit of a public spat. Within hours of the FIA announcing Wittich’s resignation to “pursue new goals,” Wittich sharply refuted the statement, telling Motorsport-Magazin: “I have not resigned.” This twist suggests Wittich was blindsided by his own firing, a move reportedly decided mere hours before the FIA’s official statement went public on the official Formula 1 website.

Wittich, who took over after the high-profile fallout from the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, was thanked by the FIA for his “professionalism and dedication.” However, the lack of clarity around his exit raises questions, especially as tensions between Wittich and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem were already rumoured. This latest incident has unfolded at a critical time, just weeks before the season closes in Abu Dhabi, with replacement Rui Marques quickly stepping up from his F2 and F3 duties.

This sudden and rather undignified departure only adds to the FIA’s list of controversial moments and casts fresh doubts on its internal dynamics and decision-making process. With the motorsport world increasingly watching from the sidelines, this incident once again highlights the governing body's shaky standing with drivers, fans, and even its own officials. Here's a look at some of the most outrageous moments involving FIA officials in Formula 1 across the last several years:

1. 2008 Singapore Grand Prix 'Crashgate'

During the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to trigger a safety car, benefiting his teammate Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race. This manipulation was orchestrated by Renault team officials and led to severe penalties, including bans and suspensions for those involved. The scandal resurfaced in 2023 when former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone suggested that the race should have been annulled, potentially altering the championship outcome. This prompted former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa to explore legal action regarding the 2008 title.

2. 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2021 season finale saw a controversial decision by Race Director Michael Masi during a late-race safety car period, leading to a one-lap shootout that allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton and win the championship. The FIA later acknowledged that 'human error' played a role in the incident, leading to significant changes in race management procedures.

3. 2007 Formula One Espionage Scandal 'Spygate'

This infamous controversy involved McLaren possessing confidential technical information from Ferrari. The FIA fined McLaren $100 million and excluded the team from the constructors' championship, marking one of the most severe penalties ever imposed in a global sport, and raising major questions about the transparency, utilisation and fairness of big-ticket fines in Formula 1.

4. 2005 United States Grand Prix

A tire safety issue led to only six cars participating in the race, as teams using Michelin tires withdrew due to safety concerns. The FIA's refusal to modify the circuit or allow a non-championship race resulted in widespread criticism and damaged the sport's reputation in the U.S.—one that took over a decade to reach the momentum it has today.

5. 2024 Swearing Crackdown

In 2024, the FIA faced backlash for penalising drivers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for swearing during press conferences. The Grand Prix Drivers' Association issued a wildly popular statement urging the FIA to treat drivers as adults and called for greater transparency regarding fines—a seemingly personal shot towards FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem that still hangs in the air contentiously.