The FIA today announced a sizeable overhaul to the F1 stewarding system for 2009, following a season of controversial title-deciding penalties handed out at Grands Prix. The stewards attracted the criticism of the press following numerous penalties handed down to eventual champion Lewis Hamilton, and although calls for a change in the system were dismissed at the time, the FIA's World Motor Sport Council confirmed alterations for next year.
The biggest change to the procedure will see the FIA publish a written explanation to the stewards' decision on the FIA website, while also making additional video evidence, which was not aired on the international feed, available to the public via the FIA website and Formula1.com. A similar protocol was followed following the penalties handed down to Hamilton, Massa and Bourdais at this year's Japanese Grand Prix, when video footage of the respective incidents was posted on the official F1 website.
As regards the stewards themselves, the FIA confirmed that the current regime consisting of two international stewards and one national steward will continue for 2009, but with minor alterations. Primarily, any national steward who is officiating for the first time will have to 'observe' at least one Grand Prix prior to their event. The FIA also revealed that a short CV of all three stewards will be available on the FIA website prior to each race.
In the press release issued this afternoon, it was confirmed that former drivers are not excluded from before stewards at Grands Prix, so long as they have obtained the appropriate experience at national events, as is the requirement for all stewards.
The FIA will undoubtedly hope that today's news will reignite confidence in the stewarding system, which was at the centre of so much criticism during 2008. Although decisions are unlikely to alter as a result of the changes announced today, people will now have a greater insight into stewards' decisions.
FIA WMSC press release in full:
"During the 2008 season a review took place of the stewarding arrangements in F1. The current panel of stewards consists of two international stewards and one national steward, all of whom must be eligible for the FIA's super licence. For 2009, the following updates will be made:
1. Any national steward participating who is officiating for the first time will be required to 'observe' a minimum of one Grand Prix prior to their event.
2. At five Grands Prix in 2009, a number of trainee Stewards, nominated by their ASN and selected by the FIA, will be invited to attend. 3. Before each Grand Prix, a short CV of each steward will be posted on the FIA website. 4. With the benefit of a new replay system available to the stewards, all incidents will be investigated and appropriate action taken during the race, unless it is essential to seek further evidence afterwards. 5. Following the race, a short written explanation of steward's decisions will be published on the FIA website. This will supplement the formal steward's decision which largely defines the breach of the rules. 6. Where appropriate, additional film evidence that the public may not have seen but which was reviewed by the stewards, will be made available on both the FIA and FOM websites. Note: No former driver is excluded from seeking their ASN national stewarding licence and then, as with all of the existing stewards, if they gain the necessary level of experience in stewarding events at a national, regional and international level the FIA can consider them for a steward's super licence."
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