Controversial F1 driving pointers won't change – for now

There might be no instant adjustments to the driving requirements pointers doc for the ultimate two rounds of the championship, the governing physique confirmed in its assertion. The listing of suggestions for FIA stewards will stay as is for now.

The much-anticipated assembly occurred on the Losail circuit on Thursday night time forward of the Qatar Grand Prix. As anticipated, the dialogue centred across the driving-standards pointers, which triggered lots of debate this season – notably after a number of controversial choices.

The driving requirements pointers have been launched in 2022 with the goal of reaching higher consistency in stewarding. Earlier this yr, it was made public to enhance transparency and assist followers higher perceive the ideas behind stewards’ choices.

Nonetheless, drivers have usually criticised the doc and its implementation. Whereas the rules aren’t guidelines however reference factors for stewards, many really feel that in apply choices are made strictly in accordance with the written definitions slightly than precise racing physics and practicalities – resulting in outcomes they imagine don’t match the incident.

“Right this moment we’re actually sticking to the guide,” Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc mentioned forward of the assembly. “And that makes it troublesome to have frequent sense generally in particular conditions.”

What incidents have been mentioned?

The FIA assertion didn’t go into a lot element however supplied a glimpse of what was reviewed throughout what it described as a “frank, open and collegial” dialogue. 5 incidents from this season have been addressed, the newest being the conflict at Interlagos between Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri and Leclerc. Piastri’s 10-second penalty, issued throughout the race, was extensively seen by drivers as unjustified, although stewards specified it aligned with the rules.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photograph by: Andy Hone/ LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures

Two different incidents that resulted in crashes have been additionally mentioned. One was the Carlos Sainz–Liam Lawson conflict at Zandvoort, for which Sainz was given a 10-second penalty that Williams later overturned by means of protest. The opposite was the Monza collision involving Oliver Bearman and Sainz, for which Bearman was penalised.

Each incidents highlighted issues that making use of the rules too rigidly can result in choices drivers view as incorrect, since a lot of the doc focuses on automobile positioning on nook entry relative to a competitor. One main criticism is that the rules successfully immediate drivers to “race to the apex” simply to be on the best facet of the wording.

Two additional circumstances have been associated to trace limits. The group reviewed the Leclerc-Max Verstappen incident in Mexico regarding “leaving the observe and gaining an enduring benefit”, and the Austin incident between Lando Norris and Leclerc, discussing whether or not leaving the observe throughout an overtaking try ought to depend as a breach.

What have been the conclusions?

There is no such thing as a clear plan but on how the rules could also be modified. The FIA underlined that “information from the previous three seasons” reveals the rules “have contributed to higher consistency” in stewarding, supported by detailed evaluation from groups. It additionally famous that the present model of the doc “has been reviewed and agreed with the GPDA”, stressing that drivers themselves have been concerned within the means of creating the doc they now usually criticise.

The FIA listed 4 important takeaways. One was a “clear choice” for stewards to delay sure choices – when not all related parts can be found – till after the race, permitting them to listen to from drivers. This was some extent raised by Sainz after Zandvoort.

One other takeaway was a shared view that the rules can’t cowl each situation, underlining the significance of getting an skilled driver-steward on every panel. Regardless of a number of drivers calling for everlasting stewards, the FIA made no reference as to whether this was mentioned.

Whereas the FIA president and the GPDA have prior to now proven broad settlement on the query of getting everlasting, skilled stewards, they disagree on the matter of who ought to pay for them.

The opposite two factors involved a stronger emphasis on respecting yellow flags and discussions on extra measures to boost security, in addition to a assessment of blue-flag procedures, together with potential additions to make clear anticipated behaviour from lapped vehicles.

Whether or not there might be additional adjustments to the rules after the top of the 2025 season stays unclear.

Pictures from Qatar GP – Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari