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Sainz Calls for Ex-Drivers on F1 Steward Panels as Drivers Meet FIA in Qatar

He argues the written guidelines have produced black-and-white rulings that leave little room for racing incidents.

Overview

  • Drivers and FIA representatives are scheduled to meet during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend to review the enforcement of racing rules and discuss possible changes.
  • Carlos Sainz says the published driving guidelines have created more problems than solutions by steering decisions away from treating clashes as racing incidents.
  • He proposes placing two or three recently retired Formula 1 drivers on steward panels as an alternative to relying on the written framework.
  • Sainz points to post-race assessments by Jolyon Palmer, Karun Chandhok and Anthony Davidson, saying he agrees with their verdicts about 90% of the time.
  • Contentious 2025 rulings cited include Oscar Piastri’s 10-second penalty in Brazil, Liam Lawson avoiding a penalty in Las Vegas, first-lap calls in Mexico City, and a Dutch GP penalty for Sainz whose licence points were later rescinded.