FIA President Responds to Drivers’ Request for Permanent

FIA President Responds to Drivers’ Request for Permanent Stewards: “They Don’t Want to Pay for It”……read more

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has responded to recent calls from Formula 1 drivers, including reigning world champion Max Verstappen, for permanent stewards to oversee races. Instead of directly addressing the request, Ben Sulayem has shifted the focus to funding, suggesting that it is the drivers who should be responsible for paying for the full-time steward salaries. Currently, the FIA employs part-time stewards, who change from race to race, but Ben Sulayem argues that if drivers are seeking more consistency with stewarding, they should bear the financial burden.

The comment comes after Verstappen, who has previously voiced concerns about inconsistent steward decisions, especially regarding penalties in high-stakes situations, such as during the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix. Verstappen was handed 10-second penalties for two incidents during a race with McLaren’s Lando Norris. In one instance, Verstappen pushed Norris wide on turn 4, and in another, he left the track at turn 7 to gain an advantage. Verstappen has pointed out that such inconsistencies in stewarding decisions can be frustrating, especially when the same actions might be penalized differently at different races.

Despite Verstappen’s criticism, Ben Sulayem’s response reflects his belief that the matter is not the FIA’s responsibility alone. He pointed out that while drivers often seek changes to the structure of F1 race officiating, they are not forthcoming with funding proposals to make full-time stewarding a viable option. The issue highlights a broader tension within the sport, where drivers feel that inconsistent rulings during races impact their championship battles, while the governing body stands firm on the financial and logistical aspects of such a change.

Since taking over the role of FIA President in 2021 following the resignation of Michael Masi, Ben Sulayem has been at the center of several controversies, including the handling of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix incident that year. His comment on this matter, however, shifts the responsibility to the drivers, questioning their willingness to financially support such an overhaul. The situation remains unresolved, with both sides holding firm on their stances, signaling that changes to F1 stewarding may take longer to implement than anticipated.