FIA to provide video evidence and improve stewarding of incidents in 2009
F1 fans will be able to scrutinise controversial incidents more closely in 2009
The FIA is to introduce a series of changes to how its rules are enforced during F1 weekends.
In a significant change the FIA will ensure all video evidence relating to controversial moments is made available to the public via its and FOM’s websites.
It did so following the questionable penalties given to Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa and Sebastien Bourdais during the Japanese Grand Prix.
It will also provided more detailed information as to why a particular penalty was handed out. At present the stewards issue very short statements that explain little more than what penalty has been issued.
It is also to begin bringing trainee stewads to five F1 rounds per year. Any stewards who is to officiate at an F1 race will have to have attended at least one race in this capacity to be qualified for stewarding duties in future. These trainee stewards may include former drivers.
There was outcry among F1 fans and criticism from several drivers including Nick Heidfeld, Jarno Trulli, Mark Webber and Jenson Button following a string of dubious decisions during the 2008 championship, chiefly at Fuji and Spa.
The changes go some way to making necessary improvements and the moves to improve transparency are especially welcome.
But these changes do not address the large grey areas in the application of the rules. The gap between the rules as written and how they are enforced can be huge – particularly on matters of driving standards. Past precedent on these matters is extremely hard to follow and often appears contradictory.
Still, at least the FIA understands improvement is urgently needed and has acted upon it.
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Jean said on 6th November 2008, 6:45
I disagree. We should already realise how priveleged we are to be able to air our views on the sport/s we love by punching a keyboard and clicking a mouse . Decisions made by Stewards and FIA should be accepted and respected . Like it or not , the past season was after all fantastic , ending in the Brazillian GP (my heart was actually pounding at the end) , and the FIA must also be given a share of the credit for that. Now they have allowed slicks to return and restricted aero. , which will result in even better racing . Positive stuff. So let them be and continue to move forward , they are doing a great job.
Oliver said on 6th November 2008, 8:05
The only thing the FIA has said that makes sense to me, is when they talk about trying to make their decisions during the race and not afterwards. This can enable the teams to come out with counter arguments on why they believe the decision is wrong.
The idea of releasing video evidence afterwards has been done already. The post Fuji release of videos by the FIA went as far as to even contradict their own decision process, and it doesn’t help in any way redressing the damage that may have been done by such poorly judge decisions.
I believe what is more important is the consistency of these decisions regarding penalties, and not the process by which they arrive at them.
Rob Bloor said on 6th November 2008, 8:34
I think the changes fall way short of what is required, it seems a peice-meal attempt to keep the critics quiet. But at least it is a step in the right direction.. making sure a steward has actually seen one F1 race before letting them officiate…..
Patrickl said on 8th November 2008, 21:26
What would be a reason why the rules are not spelled out? Is it because it’s too difficult to change the rules once they are written down?