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FIA Expands Formula 1 Stewarding Panels for 2025 Season
In a significant adjustment to its regulatory framework, the Formula 1 stewards’ panels will increase from three to four officials at six select events in the 2025 season. This change, revealed by Autosport, reflects the FIA’s response to the demands of high workload races such as the season opener in Australia.
According to Article 15.1 of F1’s revised sporting regulations, now, “a minimum of three and a maximum of four stewards, one of whom will be appointed chairman,” will oversee each race. All officials will hold an FIA Super Licence, a qualification distinct from that required for F1 drivers.
This expanded format will apply at races identified by the FIA as high workload, informed by an analysis of prior events, with the six selected races being Australia, China, Canada, Singapore, Mexico, and Brazil. The remaining 18 races will maintain the traditional three-person stewarding panel.
The strategic rationale behind this adjustment is to enhance the stewarding capacity and resources at events where the FIA deems it necessary. The additional steward will assist in preliminary reviews and gather evidence for consideration during incidents, although it has been clarified that the decision-making authority will continue to lie with the entire panel, not the new member.
As the 2025 season approaches, the topic of stewarding remains contentious within the F1 community. Last year sparked considerable debate regarding the reliance on unpaid volunteers serving as race stewards. While these individuals are reimbursed for travel expenses, their roles encompass significant responsibilities in adjudicating on-race incidents.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has expressed a willingness to consider the introduction of permanent stewards but has raised concerns about funding. In a statement to Autosport, he noted, “[the drivers] don’t want to pay for it,” indicating the complexity of financial responsibility in stewarding decisions.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, acknowledged the critical importance of stewarding in maintaining the sport’s integrity. In dialogue at the Autosport Business Exchange in January, he indicated his support for collaborative financial contributions from all racing teams to ensure a robust stewarding framework.
The scrutiny of stewards has also intensfied, especially following the FIA’s decision to remove former F1 driver Johnny Herbert from its stewarding roster over his “incompatible” commentary as a media pundit regarding ongoing betting deals. His public remarks about decisions affecting Max Verstappen during the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix originated discontent within the racing community and highlighted the potential conflicts of interest within stewarding roles.
The refined stewarding regulations established by the FIA for the upcoming season aim to create a more equitable and expert-driven environment amid rising pressures and expectations in the world of Formula 1 racing.
Source
www.autosport.com