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FIA Unveils Major Revisions to Driver Penalty Rules After Comprehensive Review

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport, has announced sweeping changes to its International Sporting Code (ISC) that will significantly affect how penalties are administered to racing drivers across its sanctioned series. Described by the organization as “major improvements,” these updates represent a substantial shift in the way driver infractions will be handled moving forward.

The revisions focus on Appendix B of the ISC, the section specifically dealing with driver penalties. These adjustments come as the result of an in-depth review process initiated and overseen by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. According to the FIA, this review was part of an ongoing effort to modernize and improve clarity, fairness, and consistency in how racing regulations are applied and enforced during events.

The evaluation process behind these updates was extensive and collaborative. The FIA engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from across the motorsport world to ensure the changes would address longstanding concerns and reflect the diverse nature of modern racing. One key contributor to the review was the FIA Drivers’ Committee, which is currently headed by Ronan Morgan. This committee, composed of current and former drivers from various disciplines, provided vital insights into how penalties are perceived and their real-world impact on competitors.

In addition to the Drivers’ Committee, the review included input from Garry Connelly, who represented the F1 Steward Chairs. Connelly’s involvement ensured that the perspectives of those responsible for adjudicating Formula 1 races—a sport often scrutinized for its stewarding decisions—were thoroughly considered in the process.

The FIA also sought feedback from motorsport bodies involved in all seven of its World Championship-level competitions. This includes not only Formula 1, but also championships such as the World Endurance Championship (WEC), World Rally Championship (WRC), Formula E, World Rallycross, and more. National member clubs affiliated with the FIA were also brought into the discussion, making the review one of the most comprehensive in the organization’s history.

While the FIA has yet to release the complete list of changes included in the updated Appendix B, it has made it clear that these new measures are designed to enhance the transparency and consistency of race stewarding. This move is likely in response to criticism from drivers, teams, and fans regarding perceived inconsistencies in penalty decisions across recent seasons—especially in Formula 1, where stewarding has often been a controversial topic.

By involving a broad base of experts and competitors, the FIA aims to establish a more robust and universally accepted framework for issuing driver penalties. The governing body has pledged to continue working with stakeholders to refine and improve the rulebook as the sport evolves.

These rule changes are expected to be implemented across all FIA-governed championships starting from the next racing season. Further details and explanations will likely be released in due course, giving teams and drivers time to familiarize themselves with the updated regulations.