The one who was race director in the last two campaigns, Michael Masi, has been replaced by two new directors who will share the role, and will also have better support through a virtual race control room and an advisor.
During the end of last season there was some confusion among the drivers about what was allowed in wheel-to-wheel battles after a series of on-track incidents, a situation that led to calls for more consistency.
When Motorsport.com asked Lewis Hamilton about how to approach the issue with the new race directors, the seven-time world champion brought up the issue of bias in the stewards room.
“We have to make sure that they are not biased. Racing drivers, some are very, very good friends with certain people, others ride with certain people, and tend to have more of an affinity with some of them,” he said.
The Englishman defended that greater gender parity in the commissioners was necessary to benefit diversity: “I want to see more women in the commissioners’ room. I think we need people who do not have prejudices and who are impartial when making decisions “
After last year’s Russian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso stated that there were “different rules for different people”, and that it was interesting to see how decisions on penalties were made based on “what nationality” each driver has.
This statement was refuted by the then race director, who said that the “rules apply equally to everyone”.
Hamilton also highlighted the need for more diversity among FIA stewards: “It’s a great way to promote diversity as well.”
At each grand prix, there is usually a group of four people who work with race control to judge incidents and decide what penalties apply.
Uncertainty over race rules last year peaked in Brazil and Saudi Arabia after battles between Hamilton and eventual champion Max Verstappen led to talks between the drivers and the FIA.
Discussing the application of race rules in track battles, Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez said that although it was “a bit in the nature of the sport” to have some uncertainty: “It’s not like football, where everything is much more Of course. Each incident is very different and it is very difficult for the stewards to make decisions, but as long as we can have the same people within the stewards, that will make it more consistent (the decisions) in the races.
“We also have to support the new race director who arrives because it is a task that takes time (to adapt). It is in the nature of our category. It is always a debate, it is not as simple as in other sports.”
“Among all the drivers, we are in line with what we think is the way to race, but there will still be a bit of a difference on what is forced and what is not,” added Daniel Ricciardo .
“So even between us, it’s not always that simple. It’s not an easy job, but there has to be a certain level of consistency. That’s all we can ask for, and then we’ll know a little better what’s right and what’s wrong.” wrong,” he concluded.
