With four Grand Prix left in the 2024 Formula 1 season, the last two weekends in Austin and Mexico City have been marred by a series of controversial penalties.
One question has come up repeatedly: are the stewards’ decisions consistent enough? For George Russell, Mercedes driver and director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, the answer is clear: it’s time for the FIA to hire full-time, paid stewards to ensure greater consistency in sanctions.
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Recurring stewards for greater consistency
With sometimes ambiguous rules and gray areas in the regulations, officiating remains unclear and inconsistent. Russell believes the key to fairer regulation lies in having full-time, salaried stewards who are better trained and, most importantly, better compensated. Currently, the FIA relies on a rotating team of stewards from race to race, making decisions too variable in his view. Indeed, the same action involving the same two drivers on two different tracks can be judged differently, which goes against fairness in sport. According to the Mercedes driver, a permanent team of stewards would be better able to make uniform decisions on infractions. With competitive pay, these stewards would also be less likely to be seen as mere volunteers and could truly influence the consistency of officiating in F1.
More clarity, fewer rules
Max Verstappen, multiple world champion, has also shared his view on the issue, but sees the problem differently. To him, Formula 1 has become over-regulated, with an increasingly strict code that doesn’t help drivers simply race. On the contrary, Verstappen feels that the rulebook grows every year, complicating races for drivers and increasing interpretive zones for the stewards, causing one controversy after another. In this regard, going back to fewer, clearer guidelines could help avoid penalties that are sometimes seen as excessive and make on-track overtakes easier, creating a more natural and spontaneous competition. I somewhat agree with him on this point, though he did exhibit unsportsmanlike behavior during the last race at the Mexican GP. Lately, every clash between him and Norris has been subject to a stewards’ investigation, which clearly detracts from the racing spirit.
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Adapting penalties and reducing gray areas
While Russell is in favor of more stable officiating, he also believes there are adjustments needed in the rules themselves. According to him, incidents are always unique, and the current guidelines don’t cover all situations encountered on track. Some rules, like those on erratic or dangerous driving, lack precision and leave too much room for interpretation. With clearer rules and well-trained stewards, Russell is convinced that Formula 1 could avoid controversial incidents that spark new debates. This model could even be likened to car safety improvements, where serious accidents have often driven real progress, such as the introduction of the Halo after Jules Bianchi’s crash in 2014.
This article explores the push for professional race stewards, a clearer rulebook, and the impact of variable penalties on Formula 1’s competitive nature. Voices like Russell and Verstappen are calling for more consistent decision-making.
Featured image: FIA Press Release
