There will likely be no rapid adjustments to the driving requirements tips doc for the ultimate two rounds of the championship, the governing physique confirmed in its assertion. The listing of suggestions for FIA stewards will stay as is for now.
The much-anticipated assembly occurred on the Losail circuit on Thursday night time forward of the Qatar Grand Prix. As anticipated, the dialogue centred across the driving-standards tips, which triggered a whole lot of debate this season – notably after a number of controversial selections.
The driving requirements tips had been launched in 2022 with the goal of reaching higher consistency in stewarding. Earlier this 12 months, it was made public to enhance transparency and assist followers higher perceive the rules behind stewards’ selections.
Nonetheless, drivers have usually criticised the doc and its implementation. Whereas the rules are usually not guidelines however reference factors for stewards, many really feel that in apply selections are made strictly in accordance with the written definitions relatively than precise racing physics and practicalities – resulting in outcomes they consider don’t match the incident.
“As we speak we’re actually sticking to the e-book,” Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc mentioned forward of the assembly. “And that makes it troublesome to have frequent sense generally in particular conditions.”
What incidents had been mentioned?
The FIA assertion didn’t go into a lot element however provided a glimpse of what was reviewed throughout what it described as a “frank, open and collegial” dialogue. 5 incidents from this season had been addressed, the newest being the conflict at Interlagos between Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri and Leclerc. Piastri’s 10-second penalty, issued through the race, was broadly seen by drivers as unjustified, though stewards specified it aligned with the rules.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Andy Hone/ LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Two different incidents that resulted in crashes had been additionally mentioned. One was the Carlos Sainz–Liam Lawson conflict at Zandvoort, for which Sainz was given a 10-second penalty that Williams later overturned via protest. The opposite was the Monza collision involving Oliver Bearman and Sainz, for which Bearman was penalised.
Each incidents highlighted considerations that making use of the rules too rigidly can result in selections drivers view as incorrect, since a lot of the doc focuses on automotive positioning on nook entry relative to a competitor. One main criticism is that the rules successfully immediate drivers to “race to the apex” simply to be on the correct aspect of the wording.
Two additional instances had been associated to trace limits. The group reviewed the Leclerc-Max Verstappen incident in Mexico regarding “leaving the observe and gaining an enduring benefit”, and the Austin incident between Lando Norris and Leclerc, discussing whether or not leaving the observe throughout an overtaking try ought to depend as a breach.
What had been the conclusions?
There is no such thing as a clear plan but on how the rules could also be modified. The FIA underlined that “knowledge from the previous three seasons” reveals the rules “have contributed to higher consistency” in stewarding, supported by detailed evaluation from groups. It additionally famous that the present model of the doc “has been reviewed and agreed with the GPDA”, stressing that drivers themselves had been concerned within the means of creating the doc they now usually criticise.
The FIA listed 4 foremost takeaways. One was a “clear choice” for stewards to delay sure selections – when not all related components can be found – till after the race, permitting them to listen to from drivers. This was some extent raised by Sainz after Zandvoort.
One other takeaway was a shared view that the rules can not cowl each situation, underlining the significance of getting an skilled driver-steward on every panel. Regardless of a number of drivers calling for everlasting stewards, the FIA made no reference as to whether this was mentioned.
Whereas the FIA president and the GPDA have previously proven broad settlement on the query of getting everlasting, skilled stewards, they disagree on the matter of who ought to pay for them.
The opposite two factors involved a stronger emphasis on respecting yellow flags and discussions on further measures to reinforce security, in addition to a assessment of blue-flag procedures, together with potential additions to make clear anticipated behaviour from lapped vehicles.
Whether or not there will likely be additional adjustments to the rules after the tip of the 2025 season stays unclear.
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