Breaking: FIA confirm former Red Bull and F1 star steward as…read more
FIA confirm former Red Bull and F1 star steward as…read more
The FIA has officially announced that former Formula 1 driver Enrique Bernoldi will serve as one of the stewards at the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which marks round five of the 2025 F1 World Championship. Bernoldi, a Brazilian racer, previously competed in F1 during the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the Arrows team. Backed by Red Bull, he also had a significant presence in junior racing categories, including stints with the Red Bull Junior Team in the International Formula 3000 Championship in 1999 and 2000. In addition to his time on the F1 grid, Bernoldi also served as a test driver for multiple teams such as Sauber and Honda.
After his time in Formula 1, Bernoldi pursued a diverse motorsport career that included appearances in both IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship. He eventually retired from competitive racing in 2015. However, he has remained connected to motorsports through different roles, including serving as a race steward for the FIA. One of his notable past stewarding appearances came at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he was involved in the decision to hand Lando Norris a three-place grid penalty for failing to comply with red flag rules during qualifying. That particular race in Baku was filled with drama, as Sergio Perez secured the win, while title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both left the event without scoring points.
This weekend, Bernoldi will join an experienced panel of FIA stewards at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, working alongside Nish Shetty, Loic Bacquelaine, and Hasan Alabdali. Stewards play a crucial role at every Grand Prix, acting as the race’s officials and referees. Their main responsibilities include reviewing on-track incidents, investigating any breaches of the sporting regulations, and determining appropriate penalties or warnings for drivers and teams when necessary.
While the FIA race director remains consistent throughout the season, the group of stewards changes from race to race, often including a mix of legal professionals and former racing drivers like Bernoldi, who bring firsthand experience to the decision-making process.
As Formula 1 continues its journey through the 2025 season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises to be another intense and action-packed event. With Bernoldi now contributing from the stewards’ room, fans and teams alike will look to the FIA panel for fair and consistent judgment throughout the race weekend.
