Carlos Sainz Backs Permanent FIA Stewards Amidst F1 Consensus

Carlos Sainz has voiced a "very, very clear opinion" in favor of permanent FIA stewards in Formula 1, claiming key bodies within the sport, including F1 and the FIA, generally agree on the idea. Despite this consensus on the concept, there's no unanimous agreement on its implementation, leaving the current rotational system in place.

Why it matters:

The consistency of stewarding decisions has been a long-standing point of contention in F1, directly impacting race outcomes and championship battles. Sainz's strong advocacy highlights a desire for greater predictability and fairness, crucial for drivers who face split-second decisions and penalties that can drastically alter their weekend results and Super Licence points.

The details:

• Sainz's Stance: The driver believes that having consistent stewards would allow drivers to better understand the decision-making patterns, fostering a more stable relationship akin to their experience with permanent race directors.
• Current System Flaws: Sainz pointed to the inconsistency stemming from rotating panels, making it difficult for drivers to anticipate judgments. He also expressed a desire for race results to be final at the chequered flag, rather than delayed by lengthy post-race investigations.
• FIA Changes for 2025: The FIA has already modified the stewarding structure for F1 2025, reducing the panel from four to three stewards for most Grands Prix. Six 'high workload' weekends (Australia, China, Canada, Singapore, Mexico City, Sao Paulo) will retain four stewards.
• Financial Argument Rebutted: Critics of permanent stewards often cite financial concerns, as the role is currently voluntary. However, Sainz firmly dismisses this, arguing that F1 has ample financial resources to cover salaries if it is deemed the right way forward for the sport's integrity and consistency.
• Proposed Hybrid Model: Sainz suggests a model where at least two of the three stewards are permanent, with one rotational steward for 'teaching and sporting fairness purposes.'

Between the lines:

Sainz's comments reflect a broader sentiment among drivers and teams who often feel caught in a lottery of decisions, particularly when differing interpretations of racing incidents arise from race to race. The comparison to the race director role, which has seen greater stability, underscores the perceived benefits of a consistent regulatory presence. While there's a recognized need for improvement, the resistance to full permanency likely stems from a desire to maintain diverse perspectives and avoid accusations of bias or favoritism towards certain drivers or teams over an entire season.

What's next:

While a full transition to permanent stewards isn't imminent due to ongoing disagreements, Sainz's persistent lobbying, backed by what he describes as broad agreement within F1 and the FIA on the concept, could keep the issue on the agenda. The debate is likely to continue as F1 strives for greater transparency and consistency in its officiating, potentially leading to further hybrid models or gradual integration of more fixed personnel in the long term, especially if the current 2025 changes don't fully address consistency concerns.