F1 set for 2025 stewarding change after Verstappen controversy… read more
The FIA is poised to introduce a significant change to its stewarding process ahead of the 2025 season, following a tumultuous year marked by controversy and debate over decision-making. The 2024 season was particularly fractious, with several rulings involving Max Verstappen coming under intense scrutiny from both supporters and detractors of the reigning world champion.
At the center of the storm was former Benetton driver Johnny Herbert, who faced accusations of bias against Verstappen and conflict of interest due to his media and betting commitments. Herbert’s role as an FIA steward was eventually terminated, and he recently spoke out about the circumstances surrounding his departure. According to Herbert, he had been informed that he would be returning for the 2025 season, only to receive a phone call two days later reversing that decision.
In response to the criticism and controversy surrounding its stewarding process, the FIA has announced plans to introduce four-man stewarding panels for a select number of races in 2025. This change is aimed at adding an extra layer of expertise and scrutiny to the decision-making process, with the hope of reducing controversy and improving consistency.
The four-man panels are set to be introduced at a handful of races, including the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, as well as events in China, Canada, Singapore, Mexico, and Brazil. Fans will have the opportunity to see the new system in action and gauge its effectiveness in reducing controversy and improving the overall quality of stewarding decisions.
One of the key issues underlying the controversy surrounding F1 stewarding is the question of whether the FIA should introduce full-time, paid officials. Currently, stewards are volunteers who receive expenses for their race trips, but are not paid a salary. This arrangement has led to situations like Herbert’s, where stewards supplement their income with punditry roles, potentially creating conflicts of interest.
McLaren boss Zak Brown is one prominent figure who has called for a shake-up of the stewarding system, arguing that the current arrangement is not conducive to success. “To have part-time, unpaid stewards in a multi-billion-dollar sport where everything is on the line to make the right call…It is a technical job and when you get it right, no one says ‘great job’,” Brown said earlier this year. “But I don’t think we are set up for success by not having full-time stewards.”
The introduction of four-man stewarding panels is a step in the right direction, but the question of whether the FIA should introduce full-time, paid officials remains a contentious issue. As the 2025 season gets underway, fans and teams will be watching closely to see how the new system performs and whether it can help to reduce controversy and improve the overall quality of stewarding decisions.
Ultimately, the goal of the FIA’s stewarding system is to provide fair, consistent, and accurate decisions that reflect the spirit of the sport. By introducing four-man stewarding panels and potentially moving towards a system of full-time, paid officials, the FIA is taking steps to improve the quality and credibility of its stewarding decisions. As the 2025 season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these changes impact the sport and whether they can help to reduce controversy and improve the overall quality of stewarding decisions.
