GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => Pit Pass => Topic started by: John S on November 09, 2008, 11:06:22 PM
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In this report from itvF1.com the FIA seems to be giving a bit of ground on some of the outrageous 08 decisions, however they stop short of any real change.
The FIA is to adjust its officiating system in the wake of several controversial incidents during the 2008 season.
There had been calls for permanent stewards or for former drivers to be appointed after decisions such as the penalties issued at the Belgian and Japanese Grands Prix attracted criticism both inside the paddock and from Formula 1 fans.
Although the governing body has stopped short of radical changes, today (5th Nov) the World Motor Sport Council agreed several amendments that would make the stewarding process more transparent.
From next season, explanations of stewards' decisions will be published on the FIA's website, and any additional video footage that influenced the officials' decision but was not broadcast on television will be shown on the FIA and FOM sites.
Stewards will also benefit from a new video replay system in an effort to ensure that all controversies are resolved during the races themselves, "unless it is essential to seek further evidence afterwards."
The FIA is also to introduce a different training system for stewards, announcing that "any national steward participating who is officiating for the first time will be required to ‘observe’ a minimum of one Grand Prix prior to their event."
In response to suggestions that ex-drivers would make better-informed decisions than the sporting officials currently used, the FIA emphasised that former racers were welcome to apply for stewards' positions.
"No former driver is excluded from seeking their ASN national stewarding licence and then, as with all of the existing stewards, if they gain the necessary level of experience in stewarding events at a national, regional and international level the FIA can consider them for a steward’s super licence," said an FIA statement.
F1's stewarding system came under the microscope after Lewis Hamilton was stripped of his Spa victory by a post-race time penalty implemented in lieu of a drivethrough for cutting the Bus Stop chicane while battling with Kimi Raikkonen.
Although Hamilton relinquished the place, the stewards felt he had not sufficiently conceded the advantage he had gained.
McLaren subsequently appealed against the ruling, only for it to be announced after the Paris hearing that the penalty had not been eligible for an appeal because the rules do not allow for drivethroughs to be contested.
There was further controversy at Fuji, where Hamilton, Felipe Massa and Sebastien Bourdais all received penalties for various incidents - with most in the paddock perplexed by the decision to punish Bourdais for a tangle many felt Massa had caused.
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yeah, well overdue and now if only FIA will pick up their newly discovered "transparency" and run with it by applying it to the rest of their moribund structure! :good: