The FIA has taken steps to overhaul Formula One's stewarding system following a number of controversial incidents.
Governing body hope to make system more transparent
The FIA has taken steps to overhaul Formula One's stewarding system following a number of controversial incidents over the past season.
Chief amongst them was the decision to hand a 25-second penalty to Lewis Hamilton after the new world champion had taken the chequered flag in September's Belgian Grand Prix.
The McLaren Mercedes driver was deemed to have gained an unfair advantage after cutting a chicane in his attempt to overtake race leader Kimi Raikkonen.
No explanation for the stewards' decision came on the day of the race, with a subsequent appeal launched by McLaren lost after an FIA court declared it inadmissible.
The current three-man panel comprises two international stewards and one national steward, all of whom must be eligible for the FIA's super licence.
However, in announcing the changes, world motor sport's governing body is hoping to fend off criticism that some of the stewards lack necessary experience.
The changes also see an attempt to make the decision-making process more transparent.
For 2009, the following updates will be made:
* 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.
* At five grands prix in 2009, a number of trainee stewards will be invited to attend.
* Before each grand prix, a short CV of each steward will be posted on the FIA website.
* With the benefit of a new replay system available to stewards, all incidents will be investigated and appropriate action taken during the race, unless it is essential to seek further evidence afterwards.
* After the race, a short written explanation of steward's decisions will be published on the FIA website.
* Where appropriate, additional film evidence the public may not have seen, but which was reviewed by the stewards, will be made available on both the FIA and FOM websites.
Rigorous
The FIA has not dismissed calls for a former F1 driver to join the stewards' panel. However, they will have to undergo the same rigorous screening process.
Any former driver wishing to become a steward will have to gain the necessary level of experience in stewarding events at national, regional and international levels before the FIA considers them for a steward's super licence.
The FIA's World Motor Sport Council have also confirmed engine life will be extended from two to three races for 2009, so ensuring teams make considerable cost savings.
