Rui Marques (born 1972 or 1973) is a Portuguese motorsport official who currently serves as the

Formula One Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...

race director In motorsport, the race director is responsible for overseeing all operations relating to competitive racing. The position involves promoting safety for events and manages the response to incidents that occur during races. Roles They are respons ...

. He was promoted to the position in November 2024.

Career

Early career

Marques began his career at the

Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA; ) is an international organisation with two primary functions surrounding use of the automobile. Its mobility division advocacy, advocates the interests of motoring organisations, the automot ...

in 2012. He previously worked in

karting Kart racing or karting is a motorsport discipline using open-wheel, four-wheeled vehicles known as go-karts or shifter karts. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits, although some professional kart races are also held on full-size motor ...

in his home country of Portugal, and also as the

for the

World Touring Car Championship The FIA World Touring Car Championship was an international touring car championship promoted by Eurosport Events and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It has had several different incarnations, including a sing ...

. He has also served as a

track marshal Motorsport marshals are mainly volunteer workers responsible for the safety of motor racing competitors. They are stationed at various points of danger around race tracks to assist them in case of any collisions, accidents or track problems. Ma ...

scrutineer A scrutineer (also called a poll-watcher or a challenger in the United States) is a person who observes any process that requires rigorous oversight. Scrutineers are responsible for preventing corruption and detecting genuine mistakes and problem ...

, and steward. In 2024, Marques served as the race director for

Formula 2 Formula Two (F2) is a type of open-wheel formula racing category first codified in 1948. It was replaced in 1985 by Formula 3000, but revived by the FIA from 2009 to 2012 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship. The name returned aga ...

and

Formula 3 Formula Three (F3) is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. History Formula Three (adop ...

. He also directed the 2024 Macau Grand Prix, which featured a large number of red flags and safety cars across the weekend.

Formula One

Marques was promoted to the position of Formula One race director prior to the

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix (officially known as the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024) was a Formula One motor race held on November 23, 2024, at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It was the twe ...

, after his predecessor Niels Wittich departed from the role. During the Las Vegas weekend, Marques was complimented by

GPDA The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) is the trade union of Formula One drivers. Founded in 1961 and refounded in 1994, it has organised several drivers' strikes and boycotts over the years, primarily in response to unsafe circuits on th ...

Director and Mercedes driver George Russell and

Ferrari Ferrari S.p.A. (; ) is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello. Founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988), the company built Auto Avio Costruzioni 815, its first car in 1940, adopted its current name in 1945, and be ...

driver Carlos Sainz Jr. for his swift response to criticism regarding track markings. Marques was set to be replaced by Janette Tan as the

Formula Two Formula Two (F2) is a type of Open-wheel car, open-wheel formula racing category first codified in 1948. It was replaced in 1985 by Formula 3000, but revived by the FIA from 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship season, 2009 to 2012 FIA Formula Two C ...

race director, but she was unexpectedly removed from her position shortly before the

2024 Qatar Grand Prix The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix (officially known as the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024) was a Formula One motor race held on 1 December 2024 at the Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar. It was the twenty-third and penultimate ...

. As a result, Marques was forced to serve as both the Formula One and Formula 2 race director for the Qatar and

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...

rounds. He is continuing in his role for the 2025 Formula One season alongside

Claire Dubbelman Claire Dubbelman (born 1985 or 1986) is a Dutch motorsport official who serves as the permanent deputy race director for Formula One. Early life Dubbelman's father, Huub, worked as a journalist and in public relations for Mercedes-Benz in the ...

, who serves as his deputy.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marques, Rui Year of birth missing (living people) Living people FIA people Formula One people